COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Decent Homes

David Lammy: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has for the Decent Homes programme; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: As part of our £6.5 billion investment in housing, the Government will spend £2.1 billion on tackling non-decent social homes over the next four years. Of this, £1.6 billion will be on council housing.

Mobile Phone Operators: Planning

Steve Brine: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether he plans to issue guidance to local authorities on the treatment of future planning applications from mobile phone operators; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: Guidance to local authorities on the treatment of planning applications from mobile telephone operators is currently contained in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications. We will consider whether any changes are required as part of our development of a National Planning Framework.

Local Authority Expenditure: Online Publication

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he plans to take in respect of local authorities which have not started to publish online details of their expenditure over £500.

Eric Pickles: All local authorities should be publishing this information from January 2011. I am pleased with the response from local government with nearly 80 councils now publishing information and welcome the support from the LGA in driving this agenda forward. Given the importance for citizens and communities I will continue to challenge and support those authorities yet to do so.

Shared Ownership Schemes

Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to assist first-time buyers through shared ownership schemes; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: We announced in the spending review almost £4.5 billion investment for affordable housing, which through a new delivery model is expected to deliver up to 155,000 new affordable homes over this spending period. Where appropriate, this will include provision of low cost home ownership. We will provide more details on these reforms shortly.

Shared Ownership Schemes

Richard Harrington: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans his Department has to encourage the  (a) extension and  (b) take-up of shared ownership schemes for first-time buyers; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: We announced in the spending review almost £4.5 billion in investment for affordable housing, which through a new delivery model is expected to deliver up to 155,000 new affordable homes over this spending period. Where appropriate, this will include provision of low cost home ownership. We will provide more details on these reforms shortly.

Rough Sleepers

Michael Ellis: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment his Department has made of the accuracy of its rough sleeping counts.

Grant Shapps: We have overhauled the way we evaluate rough sleeping so we now have an accurate picture of the problem across the country. Rather than 440 people sleeping rough there are 1,247.

Local Authorities: Administrative Burden

Esther McVey: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what steps he is taking to reduce the administrative burden his Department places on local authorities.

Eric Pickles: Last week I scrapped the National Indicator Set and handed control of more than 4,700 Whitehall targets to councils and their voters, to keep or not as they see fit.
	This is on top of my previous decision to scrap the Comprehensive Area Assessment and my continuing work with councils and others to identify excessive legislation and needless bureaucracy.

Planning Inspectorate

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent discussions he has had with the Planning Inspectorate on planning decisions.

Bob Neill: As an Executive Agency, the Planning Inspectorate takes responsibility for its day to day operational work within a policy context set by Government. I have regular meetings with the Chief Executive to discuss performance and progress.

Housing: CSR

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has to meet representatives of local authorities to discuss the implications for housing policy of the outcome of the comprehensive spending review; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: I have written to the chief executives of all local authorities outlining the implications of yesterday's spending review for housing. A copy of this letter has been placed in the Library of the House. I have regular meetings with representatives of local authorities to discuss housing policy issues.

Buildings: Regulation

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made on his Department's Future of Building Regulation exercise; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Stunell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Cities of London and Westminster (Mr Field) on Tuesday 19 October 2010,  Official Report, column 660W.

Homelessness: Finance

Brandon Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans he has for the allocation of homelessness grant for 2010-11.

Grant Shapps: This Government are committed to tackling and preventing homelessness. We have established a new cross-Government working group on homelessness bringing together Ministers from eight Government Departments to address the complex causes of homelessness and rough sleeping. We have already allocated £74 million in 2010-11 to local authorities and the voluntary sector, enabling them to prevent homelessness effectively.
	In addition we will be providing a further £12.25 million to local authorities and the voluntary sector to help those households that are affected by the proposed housing benefit reforms and to help improve access to the private rented sector for single homeless people.

Housing: Construction

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proposals to introduce a new homes bonus for developers he is considering; and if he will make a statement.

Grant Shapps: The New Homes Bonus will commence in April 2011. The scheme will match the council tax raised for new homes for the following six years. This is a powerful, simple and transparent incentive for local councils to facilitate housing growth. Communities will now reap the real benefits of growth and not just the costs. Further details will be set out in a full statement when we consult on the scheme design in November.
	We will continue our commitment to reducing the burden of unnecessary regulation on homebuilders. This will reduce the costs of development and incentivise investment in new housing.

Housing: Construction

Philip Hollobone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if he will bring forward legislative proposals to ensure that planning applications for new dwellings refused by local planning authorities are not approved on appeal on the basis of rolling five-year housing supply targets.

Greg Clark: Decision on planning appeals are the responsibility of planning inspectors. They make decisions based on all material circumstances. The current policy on planning for housing is set out in Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing. The policy requires local authorities to identify sufficient specific sites to deliver a five-year supply of housing and treat applications favourably where there is less than a five-year supply of land in place.
	With the abolition of the regional strategies, local authorities will be able to determine their own local housing targets, against which the five-year land supply is determined.
	In the coalition agreement the Government stated that they will publish and present to Parliament a simple and consolidated national planning framework covering all forms of development. We will make an announcement on how we propose to take forward the national planning framework and the implications for specific areas of planning policy. This will include planning for housing policy.

Mental Illness

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment he has made of the recommendations relating to his Department in the Government Office for Science's report, Foresight on Mental Capital and Wellbeing; if he will ensure that his Department's policy development process takes account of psychological research into subjective wellbeing; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Neill: My Department's Evidence and Innovation Strategy commits Ministers and policymakers to make use of the latest, world-class research, combined with the bespoke analysis and interpretation of data by our in-house analysts and scientists. Our commissioned research supports new and innovative ways to understand how best to address policy priorities, providing practical and insightful evidence to inform innovative, effective and efficient policy options for Ministers. Successive Foresight reports, including that on Mental Capital and Wellbeing have contributed to this evidence base.
	CLG is aware of the ways in which we can try to promote wellbeing and positive mental health. For example, we recognise the impact that the local environment can have on people's wellbeing. Through our planning and regeneration policies, we are working to improve the quality of neighbourhoods throughout the country. Among the many benefits, this will help people feel a sense of pride and belonging to their community, support the drive for localism, and create neighbourhoods that are strong, attractive and thriving.

PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Mobile Phones

Andrew Selous: To ask the Prime Minister how many mobile telephones the Government supplied to his predecessor during his period in office.

David Cameron: This information relates to the previous Administration.

Departmental Official Cars

David Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister which Ministers holding which positions in which Departments are entitled to a ministerial car.

David Cameron: The rules on the provision of Government cars are set out in the 'Ministerial Code'. The Government are committed to publishing on an annual basis the number and cost of any allocated cars.

Departmental Rail Travel

David Winnick: To ask the Prime Minister on how many occasions he has travelled  (a) first and  (b) standard class by train on official duties since 7 May 2010.

David Cameron: I travel making the most efficient and cost-effective arrangements, including by train. My travel arrangements are in accordance with the arrangements for official travel set out in chapter 10 of the 'Ministerial Code'. Most recently, I travelled by train to the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood on Tuesday, 19 October 2010.

National Security Staff College

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has made an assessment of the merits of implementing the recommendation of Sir Richard Dearlove on the establishment of a National Security Staff College.

David Cameron: An important part of the Government's approach to national security is developing the skills of the individuals involved in this work. The UK Defence Academy intends to run a pilot course in leadership and national security for candidates from across government in October. After this initial pilot we will consider using this model more widely as part of a training programme for senior staff.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Commonwealth Development Corporation

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform what the technical functions performed by the Commonwealth Development Corporation are; and what consideration was given to transferring it to the private sector.

Andrew Mitchell: Since 2004, CDC has operated as a Fund of Funds investment company, placing its capital with private equity funds, which in turn invest in promising businesses in the poorer developing countries. I believe CDC has the potential to be the jewel in the crown of the UK's support to the private sector in developing countries and at the forefront of the Government's approach to wealth creation.
	Private companies are answerable to their shareholders and focus on achieving the best possible return on their investment. By keeping CDC within public control we can ensure developmental returns are at the heart of their efforts, alongside financial returns.

Public Expenditure

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans he has to publish equality impact assessments undertaken by his Department as part of the comprehensive spending review; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Duncan: The Department for International Development (DFID) is taking equality into account in its work towards the spending review. Where appropriate, equality impact assessments will be carried out and published on DFID's external website.

Saint Helena: Health Services

Robert Buckland: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  whether he plans to publish the findings of the review of health care on Saint Helena;
	(2)  when he expects the review of health care on Saint Helena to be concluded.

Alan Duncan: St Helena Council commissioned an independent medical review of a specific incident reported in the  St Helena Independent on 11 June 2011. The St Helena Government issued a press release on 1 October, confirming that the review had been completed and shared with parties concerned. Its detailed content is confidential and cannot be made public unless the parties concerned choose to disclose it.
	St Helena Council also recommended the introduction of an external audit regime to monitor the suitability of heath sector provision in St Helena. The St Helena Government has yet to implement the recommendation.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

British Indian Ocean Territory: Fisheries

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress his Department has made on the establishment of a marine protected area in the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Henry Bellingham: The Government believe that the Marine Protected Area (MPA) proclaimed in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) on 1 April 2010 by the BIOT Commissioner is the right way forward for furthering the environmental protection of the territory and encouraging others to do the same in important and vulnerable areas under their control.
	The BIOT Administration are no longer issuing new fishing licences but are honouring those already issued. These licences expire at the end of October.
	The BIOT Administration are continuing to work on the implementation of the MPA. This includes preparing implementing legislation in BIOT law, enforcement arrangements, establishing administrative and scientific research frameworks, funding, dialogue with interested parties and exploring the opportunities for involving representatives of the Chagossian community in environmental work in the territory.

Burma: Human Rights

Yvette Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps his Department has taken in the UN Human Rights Council to achieve the release of political prisoners in Burma.

William Hague: The UK raised human rights in Burma at the Human Rights Council in September. Both the UK and EU called for the release of political prisoners in Burma in their statements on Countries of Concern. The EU also raised political prisoners in their response to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights opening statement. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is currently working to achieve a robust resolution on human rights in Burma at the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee and intends to work on a further resolution on Burma at the next session of the Human Rights Council in March. I regularly raise the situation in Burma with my counterparts in the region. We continue to support the work of Mr Tomas Ojea Quintana, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights in Burma, mandated by the Human Rights Council.

Gambia: Human Rights

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on  (a) the human rights situation and  (b) freedom of the press in the Gambia.

Henry Bellingham: Our high commission in Banjul regularly raises human rights concerns with the Government of the Gambia both bilaterally and also in its capacity as permanent local presidency of the European Union. Most recently my hon. Friend, the Minister for Africa, raised concerns with the Gambian Minister for Foreign Affairs on 14 September 2010 in London. We also set out our position at the EU/Gambia article 8 consultations held on 9 June 2010 in Banjul and during the Gambia's Universal Periodic Review session in the UN on 10 February 2010.
	The Gambia has signed all major United Nations human rights conventions and we expect the Gambia to fulfil these obligations. We will continue to raise concerns about freedom of expression and other human rights and good governance issues bilaterally, through the European Union and internationally.

Ilois: Resettlement

Henry Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 493-94W, on Ilois: resettlement, on what date the US administration first communicated to his Department its present policy on resettlement of the Chagos Islands; who in the US administration made the original policy statement; at what level of the US administration was the policy most recently reconfirmed; what information he has received from the US administration on the nature of its present concerns; and on what occasion he last discussed the issue with his US counterpart.

Henry Bellingham: The 1966 Exchange of Notes which concerns the Availability for Defence Purposes of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) was signed on behalf of the US Government by Mr David Bruce, the US ambassador, on 30 December 1966. This Exchange of Notes made the whole of the territory available for defence purposes-not just Diego Garcia. US concerns over resettlement were set out in letters from the State Department in November 2004 and January 2006. US concerns over the implications of resettlement were most recently reconfirmed in October 2010 during the formal UK/US Political-Military Talks on BIOT when US officials set out the US Government's position.

Nigeria: Christianity

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Nigeria on the treatment of Christians in that country.

Henry Bellingham: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made representations to the Government of Nigeria on the treatment of Christians in Nigeria. However, our high commission and Department for International Development (DFID) in Nigeria have supported non-governmental organisations in northern Nigeria to facilitate dialogue between Christian and Muslim communities, both of whom have suffered from appalling violence this year. We continue to stress to Nigerian authorities at state and federal level the need to ensure that Nigerian citizens of all religious affiliations have the security and protection required to worship freely and live their lives in accordance with their beliefs.
	DFID and our high commission in Abuja are also exploring further ways in which they can help the process of reconciliation between religious and ethnic communities in Plateau State, and continue to impress on state and federal authorities the importance of bringing those responsible for crimes to justice. We encourage the Nigerian Government to fully consider the implementation of recommendations made in the recent report of the Presidential Committee on the Jos Crisis.

Poland: Political Parties

Andrew Griffiths: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 18 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 495-96W, on Poland: political parties, if he will publish the advice he received on the position on homophobia and racism of the Law and Justice Party in Poland.

David Lidington: It is our policy not to refer to internal comments passed to Ministers. However, I can confirm as per the previous question from my hon. Friend, that I receive regular reporting from our embassy in Poland covering the political and economic situation in Poland.

Serbia: EU External Relations

Denis MacShane: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his timetable is for UK ratification of the EU's stabilisation and association agreement with Serbia.

David Lidington: The Government are in the process of ratifying Serbia's Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with the European Union. The SAA treaty was laid before Parliament during the summer recess and, in accordance with the "Ponsonby rule", will not be ratified until at least 21 sitting days have expired. Those 21 sitting days began on 11 October. After the 21 days a draft Order in Council can be laid to enable the SAA to be specified as an EU treaty under the European Communities Act 1972. That draft Order will be subject to affirmative resolution procedure.
	The Government strongly support enlargement of the European Union to the countries of the western Balkans, subject to the accession criteria being met. It considers the decision by EU member states to proceed with ratification of Serbia's SAA to be a welcome and important step forward in the development of Serbia's relationship with the EU.

Sri Lanka: Human Rights

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the Office of the UN High Representative for Human Rights on human rights in Sri Lanka.

Alistair Burt: We regularly raise human rights issues with a broad range of UN agencies, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and with human rights organisations. Following the end of the military conflict, there has been some improvement in the human rights situation, but we remain concerned about a number of issues, including the difficult environment for freedom of expression and the continued detention of approximately 7,500 ex-combatants whose legal status is not clear.
	When I met the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister on 19 October, I raised these and other issues of concern.

Sri Lanka: War Crimes

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the prospects for an independent investigation into allegations of war crimes in Sri Lanka.

Alistair Burt: We have consistently called for a credible, independent and transparent investigation into allegations of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law in Sri Lanka. Unless there is an honest process of accountability for the past, these allegations will haunt the country for many years to come, and will hinder much needed reconciliation between the communities.
	The Government of Sri Lanka have established a 'Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission' to look at conflict issues in the period 2002 to May 2009. We welcomed the creation of this commission and have urged that it should conduct its business in an independent, transparent and credible way. We are encouraging the Sri Lankan Government to promote engagement between the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission and the UN Panel of Experts established to advise the UN Secretary-General on the issue of accountability in Sri Lanka.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Departmental Manpower

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many officials his Department has appointed on fixed-term contracts since 7 May 2010.

Chris Grayling: Part-month data are not available. The number of staff recruited on a fixed-term appointment from 1 May 2010 to 30 September 2010 is 210.
	At 1 May 2010 the Department employed 119,099 members of staff. At 30 September 2010 the Department employed 114,985 members of staff.

Farms: Health and Safety

Mark Spencer: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he plans to take to reduce the incidence of  (a) injury and  (b) infection among visitors to farm parks; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Grayling: The incidence of both injury and infection to visitors at farm parks (also known as open farms, visitor farm attractions and petting farms) is believed to be very low when set in the context of the 5-10 million visitors each year. However, no single classification system exists to identify such attractions so more specific incidence rates cannot be established.
	However, as with any other leisure activities which provide valuable educational and life experiences, these cannot be made risk-free. Any case of injury or infection, albeit rare, can of course have very serious consequences for the individuals and families affected.
	The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and local authorities are continuing to work with industry bodies and operators to achieve a sensible balance between risks and safety measures. In particular, following the publication in June 2010 of a report by Professor George Griffin to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) into the most serious outbreak of  E. coli O157 to occur in the UK from animal contact, HSE in conjunction with HPA, Local Government Regulation, other Government Departments and industry stakeholders, is considering the recommendations in the report and is reviewing its current guidance.

Housing Benefit: Gateshead

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in the Gateshead Metropolitan Council area are in receipt of housing benefit; and how many are  (a) not of working age,  (b) in work and  (c) not in work.

Steve Webb: As at July 2010, the Department estimates for Gateshead local authority:
	 (a) 7,480 Housing Benefit recipients are aged 65 or over. This equates to 35% of the total Housing Benefit caseload in Gateshead local authority.
	 (b) 2,100 non-passported recipients of Housing Benefit are in employment. This equates to 10% of the total Housing Benefit caseload in Gateshead local authority.
	 (c) 4,230 non-passported recipients of Housing Benefit and 15,400 passported recipients of Housing Benefit are not in employment.
	 Notes:
	1. The data refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	3. Housing Benefit figures exclude any Extended Payment cases. An Extended Payment is a payment that may be received for a further four weeks when they start working full time, work more hours or earn more money.
	4. SHBE is a monthly electronic scan of claimant level data direct from local authority computer systems. It replaces quarterly aggregate clerical returns. The data are available monthly from November 2008 and July 2010 are the latest available.
	5. Figures are at 10 July 2010.
	6. Data from SHBE incorporate the local authority changes from 1 April 2009.
	7. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	8. People claiming Housing Benefit not in receipt of a passported benefit are recorded as being in employment if their local authority has recorded employment income from either the main claimant, or partner of claimant (if applicable), in calculating the housing benefit award.
	9. Passported Status does not include recipients with unknown passported status.
	10. Age groups are based on the age on the count date (second Thursday in the month), of either:
	(a) the recipient if they are single, or
	(b) the elder of the recipient or partner if claiming as a couple

Jobcentre Plus: Offices

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many local Jobcentre Plus offices were  (a) opened,  (b) relocated and  (c) closed in each of the last five years.

Chris Grayling: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Darra Singh. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Darra Singh:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many local Jobcentre Plus offices were (a) opened (b) relocated and (c) closed in each of the last five years. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	We do not hold information on Jobcentres under the specific category of re-location. This is because local Jobcentre Plus offices came into being as a result of the decision to merge the former Benefits Agency and Employment Service in 2002. At the point of merger, the two organisations had offices which, in many instances, were geographically close to each other and provided opportunities to rationalise the estate. The category of 'opened' Jobcentres covers former Benefits Agency and Employment Service buildings that were converted to deliver a modernised integrated service.
	The information available is in the table below:
	
		
			  Number 
			   Transformed jobcentres rolled out by Jobcentre Plus  Jobcentre Plus offices open to the public and subsequently closed 
			 2005 163 99 
			 2006 142 157 
			 2007 13 49 
			 2008 4 54 
			 2009 0 3 
			 Total 322 362 
			  Source:  Jobcentre Plus. 
		
	
	Altogether, 362 Jobcentre Plus offices previously open to the public have been closed within the last 5 full calendar years. In rationalising our estate we have maintained excellent high street coverage, providing a single integrated customer facing office, whilst at the same time reducing cost to the tax payer.

Motability

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people who are in receipt of disability living allowance as a consequence of  (a) a physical disability,  (b) a mental health condition and  (c) another condition were granted cars under the Motability scheme in the latest period for which figures are available.

Maria Miller: Disability living allowance (DLA) higher rate mobility component is not awarded on the basis of an individual's health condition but is awarded on the basis of the help that they need as a result of their mobility difficulties. This information is therefore not available in the format requested. However, there are currently around 550,000 recipients of the higher rate mobility component of DLA who have a car with the Motability scheme.

National Insurance: Foreign Nationals

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many national insurance numbers were issued to foreign nationals in each local authority area  (a) in each year since 1 January 2005 and  (b) in each of the last eight quarters for which figures are available.

Chris Grayling: The information requested has been placed in the Library for both Houses.

Remploy

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people Remploy employs in  (a) Wrexham,  (b) Wales and  (c) the UK.

Maria Miller: The number of people employed by Remploy in Wrexham, Wales and the UK are shown in the following table.
	
		
			   Enterprise Business( 1)  Other employees  Total 
			 Wrexham 52 10 62 
			 Wales 605 157 762 
			 UK 3,505 1,752 5,257 
			 (1) Including factories and Future Jobs Fund trainees  Note: Remploy figures for September 2010

Remploy

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions he had with  (a) trades union representatives and  (b) Remploy employees before making his announcement that Remploy's future was under consideration.

Maria Miller: As announced in the review of public bodies on 14 October, the status of Remploy Ltd as a non-departmental public body remains under consideration as part of a Government wide review of such bodies.
	The Minister with responsibility for disabled people the hon. Member for Basingstoke (Maria Miller) and departmental officials recently met with trade union representatives to listen to their views on the future of Remploy. We will continue to work with and listen to the views of the trade unions, Remploy employees and all those who have a close interest in Remploy.

Social Security Benefits

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the monetary value of welfare payments paid to  (a) non-UK citizens of each country living in the UK,  (b) UK citizens living in each country in the European Economic Area and  (c) non-UK citizens of each country living in each non-EU country in the latest period for which figures are available; and how many recipients of such benefits there were in each such group in that period.

Chris Grayling: The information requested is not available. The information there is on benefit claimants resident overseas and the expenditure on them is as follows:
	Benefit expenditure paid outside the United Kingdom for 2009/10 is shown in the table.
	Expenditure for state pension paid abroad, at country level is published on the internet at:
	http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/sp_historical_ overseas_expenditure.xls
	The figures for 2009-10 will be updated when available.
	Information relating to benefits paid to recipients abroad is available via the Tabulation Tool at:
	http://statistics.dwp.gov.uk/asd/index.php?page=tabtool
	
		
			  DWP benefit expenditure paid overseas in 2009-10 
			   £ million 
			 State pension 2,760 
			 Incapacity benefit 45 
			 Bereavement benefit 19 
			 Winter fuel payments 14 
			 Industrial injuries benefits 12 
			 Disability living allowance 11 
			 Statutory maternity pay 4 
			 Attendance allowance 2 
			 Maternity allowance 1 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest £1 million 2. All figures are consistent with expenditure information published on the internet at: www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp  Source: DWP statistical and accounting data

Social Security Benefits: Eligibility

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements his Department has in place to assess the basic skills of benefit claimants.

Chris Grayling: Jobseeker's allowance claimants and those recipients of other benefits who are participating in back-to-work programmes have their basic skills assessed through the gathering of evidence during work-focused interviews. Through this, Jobcentre Plus advisers can identify whether the customer may have a skills barrier that is preventing them achieving their job goal, thus enabling them to make informed decisions on skills needs. For example, for jobseekers the initial skills screening is undertaken at the new jobseeker interview and then reviewed periodically throughout the claim. Depending on the outcome of this initial skills screening, the claimant may be referred to an appropriate training provider or advice centre.
	Longer-term jobseeker's allowance customers are subject to in-depth skills screening, which is a more detailed approach to gathering information on skills and specific barriers to the jobs being sought by the jobseeker. In-depth screening involves the use of screening tools for basic skills, systematic evidence gathering and a customer assessment tool. Depending on the outcome of this initial skills screening, the claimant may be referred to an appropriate training provider.
	The Work programme and associated Jobcentre Plus support will further align welfare-to-work and skills services for both claimants and employers to deliver a service that will help people get the skills they need to get into and progress in work and for employers to have employees with the right skills for the job.

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what changes his Department has made to the level of funding provided for counter-fraud activity by local authorities in the last five years.

Steve Webb: The Department for Work and Pensions distributes an annual grant to local authorities for administration of housing benefit and council tax benefit. The Department considers counter-fraud activity to be an integral aspect of administering these benefits. It is for individual authorities to decide on the resources they need to administer efficient counter-fraud activity.
	Over the past five years, the funding that the Department has provided to the local authorities is set out in the following table.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Funding  Additional funding in respect of the economic downturn  Total 
			 2006-07 555.00 - 555.00 
			 2007-08 555.00 - 555.00 
			 2008-09 541.49 - 541.49 
			 2009-10 528.30 75.00 603.30 
			 2010-11 515.40 50.00 565.40

Social Security Benefits: Fraud

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effects on the present level of local authority activity in respect of detecting housing benefit and council tax benefit fraud of changes in the level of funding for such activity.

Steve Webb: The amount of subsidy that the Department for Work and Pensions has provided to local authorities in recent years to administer housing benefit and council tax benefit has remained relatively stable. The Department however is not prescriptive in how local authorities use this funding. It is for individual authorities to decide on the resources they need to administer efficient and effective counter-fraud activity.
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Funding  Additional funding in respect of the economic downturn  Total 
			 2006-07 555.00 - 555.00 
			 2007-08 555.00 - 555.00 
			 2008-09 541.49 - 541.49 
			 2009-10 528.30 75 603.30 
			 2010-11 515.40 50 565.40 
		
	
	The Department published a new fraud and error strategy on 18 October 2010 which sets out its plans for improving detection of fraud across all benefits, including housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Social Security Benefits: Widowed People

Aidan Burley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether those paying tax at the higher rate will continue to be eligible for widowed parent's allowance in 2013.

Chris Grayling: There are no current plans to change eligibility for widowed parent's allowance for higher-rate taxpayers.

Social Security Benefits: Worcestershire

Robin Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households in  (a) Worcestershire and  (b) Worcester were in receipt of benefits excluding those on disability living allowance of over £500 per week in the latest period for which figures are available.

Maria Miller: The information requested is available only at Great Britain level. Latest estimates show that in 2010-11 there are around 100,000 working age households in receipt of more than £500 a week in all benefits and tax credits, including disability living allowance. If disability living allowance is excluded then around 50,000 working age households are in receipt of more than £500 a week.
	The Chancellor's announcement of a benefit cap was informed by high-level consideration of the broad impacts. We are now working up the more detailed design of the caps. When we introduce legislation for the implementation of the caps, we will publish an impact assessment.
	 Note:
	All figures are rounded to the nearest 50,000.
	 Source:
	DWP Policy Simulation Model, based on the 2008-09 Family Resources Survey data.

Unemployment: Young People

Chris Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent steps his Department has taken to reduce unemployment for 18 to 24 year olds.

Chris Grayling: The Government are committed to tackling youth unemployment. We will be introducing the new Work Programme in the summer of 2011. While the Work Programme will be an integrated package of support providing personalised help to support a wide range of customers, including young people, we have recognised that this in itself it will not be enough.
	On 4 October we launched two new measures: Work Clubs as a way of encouraging people who are out of work to exchange skills and share experiences; and Work Together as a way of developing work skills through volunteering. We also announced the new enterprise allowance which will support unemployed people who wish to move off benefits into self employment.
	We are continuing to develop further measures to encourage pre-employment training and work placements through Service Academies, and to provide greater insight into the world of work through work experience.

Winter Fuel Payments

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent representations he has received on the payment of winter fuel allowance to higher rate taxpayers.

Steve Webb: We have received a small number of representations about the payment of winter fuel payments to higher rate taxpayers.

Winter Fuel Payments

Steven Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people resident overseas received winter fuel allowance in the latest period for which figures are available.

Steve Webb: In 2009-10 we made 70,880 winter fuel payments to people living in the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
	 Source:
	DWP Information Directorate 100%

Winter Fuel Payments: Livingston

Graeme Morrice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the total monetary value was of winter fuel payments paid to recipients in Livingston constituency in 2009-10.

Steve Webb: The information is tabled as follows:
	
		
			  Winter fuel payments paid in Livingston constituency, 2009-10 
			 £ million (nominal terms) 3.8 
			  Notes:  1. Figures are rounded to the nearest £ hundred thousand.  2. Tables containing benefit expenditure by benefit, local authority and parliamentary constituency can be found at the following URL: http://research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/index.php?page=expenditure   Source:  DWP Statistical and Accounting Data.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Departmental Manpower

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport how many new staff his Department has employed since 24 May 2010; and what the  (a) grade,  (b) job title and  (c) salary of each is.

John Penrose: Since 24 May 2010, the Department has appointed three officials on fixed-term contracts.
	The table shows the fixed-term posts by salary range, grade and their full-time equivalent.
	Disclosure of the job title and exact salary of each official could lead to the identification of individuals, and is therefore confidential information.
	
		
			  Grade  Salary range (£)  FTE 
			 D 19,306-21,023 1 
			 C 23,197-25,952 0.9 
			 A(U) 52,963-66,025 1

Mental Illness

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the recommendations relating to his Department of the report by the Government Office for Science, Foresight on Mental Capital and Wellbeing; if he will ensure that his Department's policy development process takes account of psychological research into subjective wellbeing; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: I have not made an assessment of the findings of the report by the Government Office for Science, Foresight on Mental Capital and Wellbeing. I will ensure that it is brought to the attention of the DCMS Policy Committee and the HR team.
	This Department takes the health and well-being of its staff seriously.
	We work closely with Robertson Cooper, business and well-being experts, and have membership to the Business and Well-being network, run by them, to ensure we are providing the most appropriate support for staff, including mental and physical well-being.

National Lottery: Finance

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will bring forward proposals to enable local authorities to apply for funding from the national lottery; and if he will make a statement.

John Penrose: Local authorities are already able to apply for national lottery funding.
	We are currently consulting on a new policy direction for one distributor, the Big Lottery Fund, to focus its funding through the voluntary and community sector.
	The intention behind the new direction is that social enterprises and joint ventures between the voluntary and community sector and local authorities, would still be eligible for funding.

TRANSPORT

Aviation: Wind Power

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the loss of potential energy production caused by disallowing the construction of wind turbines within 15km of an airport runway in the last 12 months.

Theresa Villiers: The Department for Transport has not made any such estimate.

Railways

Julian Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of  (a) the use of the Airedale line by Network Rail and  (b) its Northern Route Utilisation Strategy.

Theresa Villiers: We welcome the work that Network Rail has carried out, along with rail industry partners, in developing the draft Northern Route Utilisation Strategy, including its assessment of the Airedale line. When finalised, the strategy will provide a valuable input into the work that the Department for Transport will undertake in determining the outputs the railway needs to deliver during the period 2014 to 2019 and beyond.

Rapid Transit Systems: Dunstable

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport from which groups based in Dunstable his Department has received representations in support of the proposed Luton to Dunstable guided busway.

Norman Baker: The Department for Transport has been unable to find evidence of any representations from groups based in Dunstable in support of the Luton to Dunstable guided busway.

Shipping: Pollution

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport to how many tier  (a) one,  (b) two and  (c) three incidents relating to pollution from shipping and offshore installations the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has responded in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Penning: The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) does not maintain statistics on maritime pollution incident response by tier.
	The MCA maintains specific statistics in relation to tier 3 responses. For the years in question these are as follows:
	
		
			   Total pollution incidents to which the MCA responded  Tier 3 
			 2007 708 1 
			 2008 654 2 
			 2009 578 0

Wrecks: Salvage

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Receiver of Wreck reports the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has received in the last 12 months.

Michael Penning: In the last 12 months, October 2009 to September 2010, the Receiver of Wreck at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency has received 348 reports.

DEFENCE

AWE Management

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 January 2008,  Official Report, columns 29-30W, on AWE management, what estimate he has made of the cost of each new build project in the Atomic Weapons Establishment Site Development Context Plan at current prices; and what the planned in-service date for each project is.

Peter Luff: The 23 projects included in the Atomic Weapons Establishment Site Development Context Plan 2005-15 are listed in the following table. The functions of the projects given in the table correlate with the headings in the site development plan.
	Where applicable, the names of projects are indicated where they have been finalised. Costs not shown are being withheld as their disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice commercial interests. Projected in-service dates are shown in bandings to avoid prejudice to national security and/or defence interests.
	
		
			  P roject  name  Function  Cost  (£ million)( 1) 
			  Completed projects   
			 IT server buildings (two projects) Computer/communications 32 
			 New office accommodation Phase 1-Gemini (two buildings) Office and business support accommodation 76 
			 Modular accommodation (five buildings) Office and business support accommodation 27 
			 Car park/landscaping Office and business support/environmental 3 
			
			  Projected in-service period 2010-15   
			 Orion Laser Testing/research 183 
			 Small components interim-Leo Manufacturing/production 16 
			 High explosives climatic trials Manufacturing/production - 
			 Hydrodynamics-Hydrus Testing/research - 
			 High performance computer-Orchard Computing/communications - 
			 High explosives fabrication-Circinus Manufacturing/production - 
			 Chemical processing Manufacturing/production - 
			 Landscaping Environmental - 
			
			  Projected in-service period 2016-20   
			 Warhead assembly/disassembly-Mensa Manufacturing/production - 
			 Uranium components-Pegasus Manufacturing/production - 
			 High explosives assembly for trials Testing/research - 
			 Small components Testing/research - 
			 Laboratory Testing/research - 
			
			  Projects not taken forward where alternative solutions found   
			 New office accommodation Phase 2 Office and business support accommodation - 
			 New office accommodation Phase 3 Office and business support accommodation - 
			 Systems engineering Manufacturing/production - 
			 (1) 2010-11 prices.

Departmental Contracts

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contracts his Department has awarded to voluntary sector organisations in the last two years; and what the monetary value was of each such contract.

Peter Luff: holding answer 13 October 2010
	Voluntary sector organisations are not separately identified in central records and therefore information about contracts with these organisations could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Contracts are not the only financial relationships between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and voluntary sector organisations. Voluntary sector organisations such as the Royal British Legion, that deliver outcomes which support the core defence mission, also receive a grant in aid. The MOD paid some £118 million in grants in aid in 2008-09 and some £135 million in 2009-10 (excluding MOD's non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs)).

Departmental Disabled Staff

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to ensure his Department's activities are compliant with the provisions of Article 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities on work and employment.

Andrew Robathan: The armed forces were exempted from the employment provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (DDA). The continuing need for this was reviewed during the development of the recent Equality Bill. It was concluded that the exemption was still required and it has accordingly been replicated in the Equality Act 2010. A reservation on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was entered accordingly.
	For our civilians, the Ministry of Defence has policies in place to help enable disabled employees to maximise their potential and to work on an equal basis with their colleagues. The Department is a member of the Employers' Forum on Disability.

Departmental Freedom of Information

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department is taking to improve its level of compliance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Andrew Robathan: A number of measures have been taken to improve the Ministry of Defence's performance in responding to requests for information (RFIs) under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI). The Second Permanent Secretary wrote earlier this year to all of MOD's business areas to highlight the problem and push for a concerted corporate effort at improvement. The Head of Corporate Information writes periodically to business units to provide an update on performance and encourage improvement. In addition, a number of steps are in hand to strengthen the central Freedom of Information team and to streamline the processes involved in handling RFIs. The central FOI team have also visited several business units to provide advice and guidance on FOI.

Departmental Travel

Justin Tomlinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment he has made of the value for money of travel undertaken by officials of his Department in the UK and overseas under its rules on such travel.

Andrew Robathan: We constantly seek to get the best value for money out of our travel arrangements and maximise the Ministry of Defence's corporate leverage in the business travel market. We are currently phasing in an on-line booking tool for use across the MOD, both in the UK and overseas. This tool makes it cheaper and simpler to make travel arrangements and gives our staff easy access to the best value fares and a wide range of travel options, including scheduled and low-cost air carriers, UK rail, UK and overseas hotels and overseas car hire.
	Other recent changes made to give better value for money have included: the removal of all first class air travel and, in all but exceptional circumstances, first class rail and business class air travel. There are constraints on non-operational travel overseas and senior officials have given up their allocated cars and share a smaller number of pooled cars instead.
	We have additionally asked our staff to avoid travel at all where the business need can be met in other ways, such as by e-mail and video or audio conferencing. This both saves cost and increases the productivity of staff, by reducing time spent travelling.
	By whatever means staff decide to travel, they must do so in a way that is the most economical in both money and official time.

European Fighter Aircraft

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent assessment his Department has made of the safety of the  (a) Martin Baker Mk 16A and  (b) Martin Baker Mk 10B ejection seat.

Peter Luff: The safety and airworthiness of all systems on our aircraft types is continually assessed.
	On 27 July 2010 an issue was identified with surface cracks on Martin-Baker Mk10B ejection seats fitted in Hawk T1 aircraft. On 14 September 2010 an issue was identified with the harness system on Martin-Baker Mk16A seats fitted to Typhoon aircraft. In each case non-operationally essential flying was briefly suspended, while a full risk assessment of each issue was undertaken.
	Departmental officials worked closely with Martin-Baker and BAE Systems to design inspection processes and modifications that successfully addressed the issues identified. The Hawk T1 and Typhoon aircraft are now airworthy and available for operational tasking.

Nuclear Power: Decommissioning

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much  (a) low,  (b) very low and  (c) intermediate level radioactive waste he expects to arise from decommissioning activities at Atomic Weapons Establishments in each of the next three years.

Peter Luff: The current forecasts for quantities of radioactive waste, in cubic metres, are:
	
		
			   2010-11  2011-12  2012-13 
			 Very low level waste 1,600 3,080 2,220 
			 Low level waste 1,330 1,450 740 
			 Intermediate level waste 150 60 50 
		
	
	The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10 cubic metres. They are based on current Atomic Weapons Establishments decommissioning plans, which may be subject to change.
	On current plans the very low level waste (VLLW) site will become available by October 2011.
	Until this site is available, VLLW is stored with low level waste, prior to being transported to the low level waste repository at Drigg, Cumbria.
	Intermediate level waste is stored in purpose built stores at AWE Aldermaston.

Service Personnel and Veterans Agency

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the Chief Executive of the Service and Veterans Personnel Agency on the work of that agency; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: I meet regularly with the chief executive of the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency to discuss the services provided by the agency.

USA: Arms Trade

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the decision was taken to engage O'Brien and Associates to advise the British Embassy in Washington in respect of arms sales by UK companies to the US administration; how much has been paid to O'Brien and Associates from the public purse to date; and to whom in his Department the company reports for the purposes of this contract.

Peter Luff: The British embassy defence staff in Washington DC has contracted with O'Brien and Associates since January 2006 to source specialist advice to the UK Ministry of Defence on a variety of US defence acquisition issues, including trade and countering so-called 'protectionism', in Congress. O'Brien and Associates has not been contracted to influence defence exports by UK companies to the US Administration, but rather to provide regular advice and information on major US defence equipment programmes and relevant budget issues, principally as they pass through Congress. The current contract started in January 2010 and expires in December 2010 and fees are paid by the hour for services provided, based upon tasking by embassy staff. Total fees paid to O'Brien and Associates from 2006 are approximately $500,000.

USA: Arms Trade

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions his Department has had with the US Administration on the UK-US defence export treaty; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Luff: The Ministry of Defence regularly discusses the UK-US Defence Trade Co-operation Treaty with the US Administration. The treaty is evidence of the close defence relationship between our countries and achieved a major milestone when it was approved by the US Senate on 29 September 2010 allowing preparations for implementation to begin. By simplifying export licensing arrangements, for items destined for UK or US Government end-use, the treaty will help improve interoperability and the support provided to our armed forces. We envisage that the detailed preparations required to bring the treaty arrangements into effect will take up to 12 months and will be conducted in close consultation with the US Administration and with UK and US industries.

Written Questions: Government Responses

John Glen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he plans to provide a substantive reply to  (a) question 17459, on Harrier and Tornado capability, tabled on 11 October 2010 for named day answer on 14 October and  (b) 17185, on harmony regulations, tabled on 8 October 2010 for named day answer on 12 October.

Peter Luff: I replied to the hon. Member's question, regarding Harrier and Tornado capability, on 18 October 2010,  Official Report, column 488W.
	The Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans the hon. Member for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan) replied to the hon. Member's question, regarding harmony regulations, on 18 October 2010,  Official Report, column 483W.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Subsidies

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to make any changes to subsidy arrangements for farming in the light of the current economic situation.

James Paice: The vast majority of the over £3 billion of payments made each year to UK farmers fall within the framework of the EU common agriculture policy (CAP). The UK is pressing for ambitious reform of the CAP that delivers better value for money for farmers, taxpayers and consumers. A Commission communication on a potential reform post-2013 is expected shortly.

Animal Welfare: Advertising

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much her Department spent on  (a) print press,  (b) television,  (c) internet and  (d) poster material to raise awareness among the general public of the potential risk from illegal imports of products of animal origin in each of the last five years.

James Paice: Since October 2004, DEFRA has led communications targeted at black and minority ethnic (BME) communities where the rules have been particularly relevant. The target audiences have mainly been defined by the number of animal product seizures made from countries outside the EU, but other issues, such as the independent research carried out, have also been considered.
	The BME campaign has been a key strand of a wider personal food imports campaign, which targets members of the public travelling from GB to countries outside the EU who may bring back food items for personal use. The UK Border Agency (UKBA) have also communicated wider messages around the restrictions at GB points of entry and departure in GB and overseas.
	Overall, we are looking to reduce the risk of contaminated food (in particular meat and dairy products as higher risk products) being brought into the UK and putting people, animals and agriculture at risk of disease and possibly sparking a national outbreak of, for example, foot and mouth disease or bird flu.
	Communication spend over the last five financial years on press, TV, internet and posters, is as follows:
	
		
			  £ 
			  Activity  Media total  Print  TV  Poster  Internet 
			 BME TV - - 15,000.00 - - 
			 BME Press Advertising - 42,000.00 - - - 
			 BME Posters and Leaflets - 9,945.00 - - - 
			 Total 2005-06 66,945.00 51,945.00 15,000.00 0.00 0.00 
			   
			 BME Outdoor - - - 51,180.00 - 
			 BME Press Advertising - 42,316.00 - - - 
			 BME Posters and Leaflets - 3,717.00 - - - 
			 Online Activity - - - - 198,000.00 
			 Total 2006-07 295,213.00 46,033.00 0.00 51,180.00 198,000.00 
			   
			 BME TV - - 26,320.00 - - 
			 BME Posters and Leaflets - 10,810.00 - - - 
			 BME Press Advertising - 20,125.00 - - - 
			 Illegal Food Imports TV Filler - - 90,993.00 - - 
			 Online - - - - 254,898.00 
			 Total 2007-08 403,146.00 30,935.00 117,313.00 0.00 254,898.00 
			   
			 BME TV - - 30,478.00 - - 
			 BME Press Advertising - 41,055.00 - - - 
			 BME Posters and Leaflets - 17,740.00 - - - 
			 BME Online - - - - 400.00 
			 Search activity - - - - 3,389.00 
			 Total 2008-09 93,062.00 58,795.00 30,478.00 0.00 3,789.00 
			   
			 BME TV - - 46,071.00 - - 
			 BME Press Advertising - 15,068.00 - - - 
			 BME Posters and Leaflets - 15,761.00 - - - 
			 Total 2009-10 76,900.00 30,829.00 46,071.00 0.00 0.00

Badgers: Research

William Bain: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many badger cage traps the Food and Environment Research Agency held for the purpose of research funded by her Department in the latest period for which figures are available.

James Paice: The Food and Environment Research Agency (FERA) holds over 600 badger cage traps for the purpose of research funded by DEFRA.

Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries Conservation Area

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what length of coastline within the Gloucestershire County Council area is to be used as the basis for calculating the sum to be contributed by that local authority to the funding of the Devon and Severn Inshore Fisheries Conservation Area.

Richard Benyon: In calculating the sum to be contributed by each constituent local authority within an IFCA, DEFRA has used the definitions of the sea used in the Marine and Coastal Access Act; the "sea" includes:
	(a) any area submerged at mean high water spring tide; and
	(b) the waters of every estuary, river or channel, so far as the tide flows at mean high water spring tide.
	The 'seashore' is defined as the shore and the bed of the sea.
	The length of seashore used in the calculation to reach Gloucestershire county council's share of the levy is 94.40 miles, as calculated by the UK Hydrographic Office.
	The full rationale for the inclusion and contribution of any one local authority can be found in the consultation on the principles and content of the Orders establishing Inshore Fisheries and Conservation districts and their associated authorities which can be found on the DEFRA website:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/inshore-fisheries 2010/index.htm

Equine Infectious Anaemia

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date she notified the devolved administrations of the recent outbreak of equine infectious anaemia.

James Paice: There have been two recent cases of equine infectious anaemia (EIA) in England.
	The first was in Northumberland and the devolved Administrations were first alerted that EIA was suspected on 3 September. Disease was confirmed on 6 September following receipt of positive test results.
	The second case was in Devon and the devolved Administrations were first alerted that EIA was suspected on 8 September. Disease was confirmed on 11 September following receipt of positive test results.

Equine Infectious Anaemia

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on what date she was notified of the recent outbreak of equine infectious anaemia.

James Paice: There have been two recent cases of equine infectious anaemia in England.
	The first was in Northumberland and the Secretary of State and I were notified on the day that disease was confirmed, 6 September.
	The second case was in Devon and the Secretary of State's Private Office was alerted that disease was suspected on 8 September. The Secretary of State and I were next updated on the developing disease situation by the Chief Veterinary Officer on 10 September in advance of disease being confirmed on 11 September.

Equine Infectious Anaemia

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the  (a) risk of importing and  (b) threat from (i) equine infectious anaemia and (ii) other exotic animal diseases into the UK.

James Paice: DEFRA continually monitors occurrence of major animal disease outbreaks worldwide as an early warning to assess the risk these events may pose to the UK. DEFRA assesses new disease incidents in EU member states, countries on the borders of the EU and the UK's third country trading partners. More generally, DEFRA monitors the disease situation worldwide with a view to identifying any significant incursion of disease to new areas of the world or longer term trends in levels or distribution of disease.
	When DEFRA becomes aware of a new animal disease outbreak in another country, we may carry out a preliminary outbreak assessment. Details of the outbreak assessments published since 2008 are available here:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/monitoring/poa.htm
	When DEFRA is officially notified of any new animal disease incident in an EU member state, a country on the border of the EU or one of the UK's third country trading partners, a more detailed qualitative risk analysis (QRA) is carried out. Details of the QRAs published since 2008 are available here:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/diseases/monitoring/riskassess.htm
	In March this year, DEFRA published a qualitative risk assessment-"Potential risk factors for the introduction of Equine Infectious Anaemia (EIA) to the United Kingdom from EU Member States" which concluded that there was a very low likelihood that EIA may be present and undetected in the UK equine population. Of the three confirmed EIA cases this year, two were found shortly after importation to the UK. The infected horse in the third case had been in the country for two years but investigations suggest that the risk of spread is low.

Equine Infectious Anaemia: EU Countries

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent assessment she has made of the financial risk to the equestrian industry of the importation of horses carrying equine infectious anaemia from Romania via other EU countries.

James Paice: No specific assessment of financial risk has been carried out.
	However, DEFRA is very aware of the potential impact of equine infectious anaemia. Since the first outbreak in January, DEFRA has worked closely with the EU Commission and other member states to proactively reduce the risk to the UK. Exports of horses from Romania are now severely restricted, along with more UK import testing. DEFRA believes that the two cases in Northumberland and Devon in September 2010 relate to horses that left Romania before these measures were in place.

Equine Infectious Anaemia: EU Countries

Thomas Docherty: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions she has had with her Romanian counterpart on equine infectious anaemia.

James Paice: The equine infectious anaemia situation across the European Union is of concern to the UK and all other member states. DEFRA has held regular discussions throughout 2010 with the EU Commission and representatives of other member states, including Romania. Since the first outbreak in January, DEFRA has worked to proactively reduce the risk to the UK. As a result, exports of horses from Romania are now severely restricted, along with more UK import testing.

Flood Control

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what geographical circumstances and characteristics of areas of flood risk she plans to take into account in determining financial allocations to local authorities for flood prevention and protection; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The Department of Communities and Local Government's (CLG) consultation on "Local Government Finance-Formula Grant Distribution" closed on 6 October 2010. One of the consultation options was on the use of map-based data from the Environment Agency as the basis for measuring the number of properties at risk from flooding in each local authority area. Ministers will take into account all the representations that have been received when making decisions about changes to the formula grant distribution system ahead of the 2011-12 Local Government Finance Settlement. Similarly, DEFRA and CLG are also considering new burdens under the Flood and Water Management Act 2010, including costs that may not correlate directly to risk.

Food: Religion

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will bring forward proposals to ensure that religiously prepared meat served in restaurants is identified as such.

James Paice: I appreciate that this is an issue which people feel strongly about and we will be working with interested groups to find a way to address their concerns. People should know what they are buying when they are eating out, and I will be discussing with the food industry whether point of sale information can play a greater role in giving consumers a choice.

Inshore Fishing: Nature Conservation

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what criteria are used to calculate the sums to be paid by local authorities to inshore fisheries conservation areas; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The local authorities which comprise each Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (IFCA) will work with the other members of the IFCA to agree an appropriate budget for the organisation. The local authority members have the ability to veto any budget by majority vote.
	Each local authority will contribute a proportion of the total budget, according to the percentages detailed in the order establishing each IFCA. The constituent local authorities of each IFCA were invited to agree a method for setting the contribution levels to be included in their IFCA's order. Where local authorities were unable to agree contribution levels locally, DEFRA applied a generic formula, which was agreed after public consultation.
	This formula considered for each local authority, the population, length of seashore, land area covered and the number of Band D council tax properties (relative to the totals for each of these factors in the whole district). This provides a transparent mechanism for calculating how much each local authority will pay, and will be less subject to change over time therefore reducing the need to keep reappraising the proportion of levy that will be set out in the order establishing a particular district. It also means that per head of population in each local authority there is a much fairer contribution to the overall funding of the IFCA.
	The ability for local authorities to agree alternative funding formulas for their IFCA remains.
	DEFRA is assisting with the establishment of IFCAs through a Transitional Funding Grant Scheme this year and has secured, through the comprehensive spending review, some substantial additional funding from DEFRA to meet the new financial burden on constituent local authorities to help IFCAs deliver their new duties.

Rural Areas: Cycling

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will consider the merits of bringing forward proposals to increase the extent of rights of way in rural areas which cyclists may use; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Benyon: The Government are committed to improving access for cyclists.
	The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 requires local highway authorities to take a strategic view of their public rights of way networks by preparing rights of way improvement plans. These plans assess the current and future needs of all rights of way users and propose improvements to the network, particularly for users such as cyclists and horse riders, who may not be well served by the existing network.
	Most authorities have finished their plans and we hope that they will now take these forward and implement them. DEFRA would also encourage cycling groups to co-ordinate their efforts, and work with local authorities and other user groups to improve the bridleway and cycle network in local areas in line with the plans.

Wood: Imports

Zac Goldsmith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether she plans to bring forward legislative proposals to regulate the possession of timber obtained from illegal logging.

James Paice: We will put in place the necessary legislation to implement the provisions of the EU Illegal Timber (Due Diligence) Regulation in the United Kingdom. This underlines our commitment to eliminating illegal timber from the UK market.

ELECTORAL COMMISSION COMMITTEE

Referendums: Wales

Ian Lucas: To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, what plans the Electoral Commission has to consult on the wording of any new referendum question proposed by the Secretary of State for Wales under the provisions of the Government of Wales Act 2006.

Gary Streeter: The Electoral Commission informs me that it was consulted by the Secretary of State for Wales on the wording of the proposed referendum question on 24 June 2010. It wrote to interested groups to invite their views on the question as part of its assessment process.
	The Commission published its response to the consultation on 2 September 2010, setting out its views and recommendations on the intelligibility of the question. On 21 October 2010, the Secretary of State for Wales placed a copy of this report in the Library of the House of Commons, at the same time as laying draft legislation on the referendum. A copy of the report was also sent to the First Minister for laying before the National Assembly for Wales.
	The question contained in the draft legislation is that suggested to the Secretary of State for Wales by the Electoral Commission so the Commission further informs me that it does not anticipate the need for any further consultation.

HEALTH

Arthritis: Health Services

Ian Mearns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions he has had with the Royal College of General Practitioners on primary care training in rheumatoid arthritis for GPs.

Anne Milton: The Department has had no formal discussions with the Royal College of General Practitioners on training in rheumatoid arthritis for general practitioners. Whilst the Department acknowledges the importance of this area of expertise, the General Medical Council (GMC) is the competent authority for medical training in the United Kingdom. As such, the GMC is the approving body for the general practice curriculum-the content of which is specified by the Royal College of General Practitioners.

Breast Cancer: Research

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much  (a) the Medical Research Council and  (b) the National Institute for Health Research spent on breast cancer research in each year since 2007-08.

Simon Burns: The Medical Research Council (MRC) is funded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The MRC reports funding for breast cancer research since 2007-08 of:
	
		
			  MRC spend 
			   £ million 
			 2007-08 6.342 
			 2008-09 5.862 
			 2009-10 5.154 
		
	
	Comparable information for the Department's National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is not held centrally.
	The NIHR clinical research network is currently providing national health service research infrastructure support to 181 studies in breast cancer. Details can be found on the UK Clinical Research Network portfolio database at:
	http://public.ukcrn.org.uk/search
	The National Cancer Research Institute, a United Kingdom wider partnership between Government, charities and industry, makes cancer research information available online via the International Cancer Research Portfolio database at:
	www.cancerportfolio.org

Dental Services

Graham Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to discuss developing new commissioning arrangements for NHS dentistry with representatives of the dental profession.

Simon Burns: We have set up a national steering group to advise us on developing proposals for a new dental contract. Representatives from the British Dental Association are a key part of this group.

Dental Services

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with local authorities on their role in ensuring that NHS dental services meet the needs of their users;
	(2)  what role health and wellbeing boards will have in ensuring that NHS dental services meet the needs of their users.

Simon Burns: Oral health needs assessments and the epidemiological surveys on which they are based are public health functions, which are normally led by consultants in dental public health employed by primary care trusts (PCTs). The White Paper 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS' refers to the creation of a new public health service, to integrate and streamline existing health improvement. It also indicates that PCT responsibilities for local health improvement will transfer to local authorities, who will employ the Director of Public Health jointly appointed with the public health service. We will be publishing a White Paper on public health later this year, which will cover the transitional arrangements, required to implement these changes. Health and well-being boards within local authorities will be ideally placed to provide feedback on the quality and accessibility of national health service dental services in their areas.

Dental Services: Fees and Charges

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role he expects Monitor to have in setting tariffs for dentistry.

Simon Burns: Monitor will not regulate nor set prices for general dental services. Our current proposals, which are being further developed and will be subject to parliamentary approval, are that the NHS Commissioning Board will be responsible for setting tariff structures and Monitor, as the economic regulator will be responsible for setting price levels. This will include dental services provided in hospitals, which currently receive a mandatory tariff. In all aspects of price setting, they will be expected to work collaboratively for the benefit of patients and taxpayers.

Departmental Equality

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to publish equality impact assessments undertaken by his Department as part of the comprehensive spending review; and if he will make a statement.

Simon Burns: The Department is taking equality into account in its work around the spending review. Equality impact assessments or other information on equalities will be published where relevant to individual policies as proposals are developed.

General Practitioners: Registration

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to introduce a professional registration scheme for practitioners of traditional forms of medicine that do not require full medical training.

Anne Milton: The Department consulted on whether, and if so how, to regulate acupuncture, herbal medicine and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners in 2009. The Government are currently considering their overall strategy on professional regulation, including whether to establish a registration scheme for practitioners of these traditional forms of medicine.

Health Services: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to help reduce health inequalities in Bexleyheath and Crayford constituency.

Anne Milton: It is the responsibility of the local national health service to take practical steps to reduce health inequalities for the benefit of local residents.
	The Government have made it clear that tackling health inequalities is a priority. The NHS has a critical role to play in reducing health inequalities that affect disadvantaged people, and the White Paper, 'Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS', published on 12 July 2010, will create an explicit NHS duty to tackling inequalities in access to NHS health care and the outcomes for that care.
	Later this year we will publish a White Paper setting out further details of the new Public Health Service (PHS) and our programme for public health. Primary care trust responsibilities for local health improvement will transfer to local authorities, who will employ the Director of Public Health jointly appointed with the PHS.

Hospitals: Consultants

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS consultants have received bonuses of £35,000 or more in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The cumulative number of consultants in receipt of an award with a cash value of £35,000 or more in the last five years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Award year  Number of consultants 
			 2006 1,538 
			 2007 1,531 
			 2008 1,681 
			 2009 3,494 
			 2010 4,787 
			  Notes:  1. The figures above show all consultants in receipt of an award with a full-time cash value over £35,000. Awards are paid pro rata.  2. The significant increase in 2009 is due to the cash value of bronze/level nine awards increasing above the £35,000 threshold. However, prior to the link to the national health service electronic staff record in January 2010, the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards did not hold verified data on consultants holding level nine awards funded by their employers (local employer based awards). The actual total figure for 2009 will be higher than shown.  3. The new verified level nine data are included in 2010, which explains the significant increase for that year.  4. On 20 August 2010 the Secretary of State for Health announced a United Kingdom wide review of compensation levels, incentives and the Clinical Excellence and Distinction Award Schemes for NHS consultants. The review is being led by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB). The DDRB has been asked to submit recommendations to UK Ministers by July 2011.

Hospitals: Consultants

Gareth Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much has been paid to NHS consultants in bonuses in each of the last five years.

Simon Burns: The total national health service spend in England for national clinical excellence and distinction awards for the last financial years for which figures are available is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Financial year  Spend (£ million) 
			 2006-07 178 
			 2007-08 190 
			 2008-09 180 
			 2009-10 202 
			 2010-11 n/a 
			  Notes:  1. The information above does not include information on local clinical excellence awards (employer based awards) which are paid by trusts. This information is not held centrally.  2. The information above does not include national clinical excellence awards that are paid from central funds to consultants holding an NHS contract and employed in the Department or arm's length bodies.  3. The reduction in expenditure in 2008-09 reflected a scrutiny exercise which identified a number of consultants who had retired without notifying the Advisory Committee on Clinical Excellence Awards (any excess payments in 2007-08 were to trusts only and those monies were available for patient care. No consultants received payment to which they were not entitled).  4. On 20 August 2010 the Secretary of State for Health announced a United Kingdom wide review of compensation levels, incentives and the Clinical Excellence and Distinction Award Schemes for NHS consultants. The review is being led by the Review Body on Doctors' and Dentists' Remuneration (DDRB). The DDRB has been asked to submit recommendations to UK Ministers by July 2011.

NHS: Complaints

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to review the adequacy of the complaints procedures in the NHS.

Simon Burns: There are currently no plans to review the NHS complaints arrangements.

NHS: Freedom of Information

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which types of clinical service providers funded from the public purse are not subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Simon Burns: Sections 3 to 7 and schedule 1 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 set out the public authorities that are subject to its provisions.
	Examples of clinical service providers that receive funds from the public purse that are not subject to the provisions of the Act would include private companies, social enterprises and charities contracted by national health service organisations to provide clinical services for NHS patients.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, how many staff are employed by the General Social Care Council; how many such staff will be transferred to  (a) his Department and  (b) new bodies; how many such staff will be made redundant; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancy payments for these staff.

Paul Burstow: The reforms to the General Social Care Council (GSCC) were announced in the report of the arm's length bodies review, published in July 2010. The GSCC's annual report and accounts for 2009-10 state they employ 239 staff. We do not expect any staff to transfer to the Department of Health.
	Cabinet Office guidance confirms that Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE)-like provisions will apply where GSCC staff are engaged in functions which are transferring to the Health Professions Council (HPC). Discussions are ongoing between GSCC and HPC about how the TUPE-like principles will be applied to individuals. Until these details are determined, we are unable to estimate what the cost of any redundancies will be, to the public purse.
	Further information will be published in the impact assessment that will accompany the publication of the Health Bill.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, how many staff are employed by the National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care; how many such staff will be transferred to  (a) his Department and  (b) new bodies; how many such staff will be made redundant; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancy payments for these staff.

Simon Burns: The National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care (NIGB) does not employ staff, and there will therefore be no redundancies or associated redundancy costs. Secretariat and other staff support for the board is currently provided by the Department.
	It is anticipated that the statutory functions of the NIGB will transfer to the Care Quality Commission, and that other advice the board currently provides will in future come from within the Department, or other bodies. Staff support will continue to be provided under the new arrangements.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, how many staff are employed by the National Joint Registry Steering Committee; how many such staff will be transferred to  (a) his Department and  (b) new bodies; how many such staff will be made redundant; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancy payments for these staff.

Simon Burns: The National Joint Registry Steering Committee does not employ staff, therefore there will be no redundancies or associated redundancy costs. The Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership provides the secretariat for the committee and will continue to provide that function for the reconstituted committee of experts.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, what the functions of the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances are; which of these functions are to be retained; and which bodies he proposes to have responsibility for fulfilling these functions.

Simon Burns: The Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances (ACBS) advises prescribers on the circumstances in which it would be reasonable to prescribe particular non-medicinal products on the national health service. Its advice mainly relates to foods such as enteral feeds and foods which are specially formulated to be suitable for use by people with given medical conditions, but also covers some non-food products such as sun blocks. ACBS advice takes the form of its "recommended list" which is published as Part XV of the Drug Tariff.
	The ACBS also advises Ministers on the addition of particular non-medicinal products to Schedule 2 to the National Health Service (General Medical Services Contracts) (Prescription of Drugs etc) Regulations 2004, the effect of which is to prohibit their prescribing by general practitioners on the NHS.
	Following its reconstitution into a Departmental Committee of Experts, the ACBS will have continuing responsibility for this remit.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, how many staff are employed by the Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances; how many such staff will be transferred to  (a) his Department and  (b) new bodies; how many such staff will be made redundant; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancy payments for these staff.

Simon Burns: The Advisory Committee on Borderline Substances does not employ staff, so there will be no redundancies or associated redundancy costs. The secretariat for the committee is provided by the Department. A secretariat function will continue to be provided for the reconstituted committee of experts.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, 
	(1)  how many staff are employed by the Advisory Board on the Regulation of Homeopathic Products; how many such staff will be transferred to  (a) his Department and  (b) new bodies; how many such staff will be made redundant; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancy payments for these staff;
	(2)  how many staff are employed by the Committee on the Safety of Devices; how many such staff will be transferred to  (a) his Department and  (b) new bodies; how many such staff will be made redundant; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancy payments for these staff;
	(3)  how many staff are employed by the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee; how many such staff will be transferred to  (a) his Department and  (b) new bodies; how many such staff will be made redundant; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancy payments for these staff;
	(4)  how many staff are employed by the Independent Review Panel for the Classification of Borderline Products; how many such staff will be transferred to  (a) his Department and  (b) new bodies; how many such staff will be made redundant; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancy payments for these staff;
	(5)  how many staff are employed by the Independent Review Panel on the Advertising of Medicines; how many such staff will be transferred to  (a) his Department and  (b) new bodies; how many such staff will be made redundant; and what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of redundancy payments for these staff.

Simon Burns: There are no permanent staff associated with any of these bodies, and therefore there will be no transfers of staff to the Department necessary or costs to the public purse in relation to redundancy payments.
	These bodies are all committees of scientific experts whose members attend meetings as and when required to carry out the specific function of that committee. Current terms of reference for each of these can be found on the website Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency's (MHRA) website at:
	www.mhra.gov.uk
	The secretariat for these committees is supplied by the MHRA from its own staff.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Tom Blenkinsop: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of organisational changes required to implement the proposals to reform his Department's non-departmental public bodies; and whether the cost will be allocated to his Department's budget.

Simon Burns: The Public Bodies Review has laid out proposals for a number of changes to public bodies, including the Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, and the Human Tissue Authority, which are the responsibility of the Department of Health. The Department is not yet able to produce robust costings of the changes arising from this re-organisation. This is because the precise costs of the transition will not be known until the operational detail of the changes is known.
	The Government will shortly publish an Impact Assessment assessing the impact of the changes proposed in the Public Bodies (Reform) Bill.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, 
	(1)  what the functions of the Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products are; which of these functions are to be retained; and which bodies he proposes to have responsibility for fulfilling these functions;
	(2)  what the functions of the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee are; which of these functions are to be retained; and which bodies he proposes to have responsibility for fulfilling these functions;
	(3)  what the functions of the Independent Review Panel for the Classification of Borderline Products are; which of these functions are to be retained; and which bodies he proposes to have responsibility for fulfilling these functions;
	(4)  what the functions of the Independent Review Panel on the Advertising of Medicines are; which of these functions are to be retained; and which bodies he proposes to have responsibility for fulfilling these functions;
	(5)  what the functions of the Committee on the Safety of Devices are; which of these functions are to be retained; and which bodies he proposes to have responsibility for fulfilling these functions.

Simon Burns: The Advisory Board on the Registration of Homeopathic Products was established in 1994 pursuant to the powers contained in section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968. Its terms of reference are:
	to give advice on safety and quality in relation to any homeopathic medicinal product for human use, in respect of which a certificate of registration has been granted or applied for; and
	to give advice on safety, quality and efficacy in relation to any homeopathic medicinal product for human use:
	(i) for which a marketing authorisation has been granted or has been applied for, or
	(ii) for which a licence of right has been granted.
	This body will become a committee of scientific experts and will continue to undertake this role as an advisory committee to the Medicines and Healthcare Products regulatory Agency (MHRA). It has no permanent members of staff and the secretariat services are provided by the MHRA.
	The Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee was established under the powers contained in section 4 of the Medicines Act 1968 and the Committee was formally created on 30 October 2005. The functions of the Committee are set out in the Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee Order 2005. The Herbal Medicines Advisory Committee advises on the safety, quality and efficacy, in relation to human use, of:
	herbal medicinal products eligible for registration under the simplified traditional use Registration procedure established under European Directive 2004/24/EC; and
	unlicensed herbal medicinal products (unless it is subject to an application for a marketing authorisation, product licence or a homoeopathic certificate of registration).
	The Committee may also advise on the safety, quality and efficacy, in relation to human use, of herbal medicinal products which have a marketing authorisation, product licence or certificate of registration, or which are the subject of an application for such authorisation, licence or certificate, if Health Ministers or the licensing authority request such advice, or provide the Committee with information relating to that product.
	This body will become a committee of scientific experts and will continue to undertake this role as an advisory committee to the MHRA. It has no permanent members of staff and the secretariat services are provided by the MHRA.
	The role of the Independent Review Panel for the Classification of Borderline Products is:
	to consider written and oral representations from companies against a provisional determination by the MHRA, on behalf of the Licensing Authority, that a product is a medicinal product; and
	to advise the Licensing Authority whether or not the MHRA's provisional determination should be confirmed.
	This body will become a committee of scientific experts and will continue to undertake this role as an advisory committee to the MHRA. A single committee has been appointed to undertake this role and the role of the Independent review Panel for Advertising of Medicines. It has no permanent members of staff and the secretariat services are provided by the MHRA.
	The Independent Review Panel for Advertising of Medicines (IRPA) was established in 1999 as a result of a consultation in 1997 on the proposed amendments to the Advertising and Monitoring of Advertising Regulations 1994. The amendments were designed to increase the effectiveness of these regulations, a move which some saw as increasing the MHRA's regulatory powers. In response to these concerns the MHRA introduced a procedure allowing companies to make representations to an Independent Review Panel.
	Where a company has requested a review, the findings of the Panel have to be taken into consideration before a final decision on a company promotion for a product can be made.
	This body will become a committee of scientific experts and will continue to undertake this role as an advisory committee to the MHRA. A single committee has been appointed to undertake this role and the role of the Independent Review Panel for the Classification of Borderline Products. It has no permanent members of staff and the secretariat services are provided by the MHRA.
	The functions of the Committee on the Safety of Devices are to:
	take a strategic view of initiatives to make medical devices and their use safer and more effective;
	offer advice on the development of device related policies;
	advise on the format and targeting of the MHRA's communications with the Health Service; and
	be part of the MHRA Quality Assurance System.
	This body is a committee of scientific experts and will continue to undertake this role as an advisory committee to the MHRA. It has no permanent members of staff and the secretariat services are provided by the MHRA.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, what the functions of the General Social Care Council are; which of these functions are to be retained; and which bodies he proposes to have responsibility for fulfilling these functions.

Paul Burstow: The statutory functions of the General Social Care Council (GSCC) are those set out in the Care Standards Act 2000 and other enactments. The 2000 Act confers various functions on the GSCC, including requiring it to promote high standards of conduct and practice among social care workers in England; and high standards in their training. The GSCC must maintain and, from time to time, publish a register of social workers and visiting social workers from relevant European states. The GSCC also has the function to approve courses for persons who are or wish to become approved mental health professionals in England in accordance with rules made by it.
	Subject to parliamentary approval, the GSCC's regulatory functions will be transferred to the Health Professions Council.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, what the functions of the National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care are; which of these functions are to be retained; and which bodies he proposes to have responsibility for fulfilling these functions.

Simon Burns: The National Information Governance Board for Health and Social Care (NIGB) provides leadership and promotes consistent standards for information governance across health and social care. It considers ethical issues, the interpretation and application of the relevant law and policies, and provides advice on information governance matters at a national level.
	It is anticipated that the statutory functions of the NIGB will transfer to the Care Quality Commission, and that other advice the Board currently provides will in future come from within the Department, or other bodies.

Non-departmental Public Bodies

Derek Twigg: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the statement of 14 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 505-06, on public bodies reform, what the functions of the National Joint Registry Steering Committee are; which of these functions are to be retained; and which bodies he proposes to have responsibility for fulfilling these functions.

Simon Burns: The National Joint Registry Steering Committee (NJRSC) is responsible for:
	setting the National Joint Registry's (NJR) work programme and monitoring its progress.
	providing advice to Ministers, orthopaedic units, hospitals and implant suppliers, where the information shows concerns about the performance of certain prostheses;
	setting the cost of the levy, based on the contractual costs of running the Registry and the work programme agreed;
	providing an annual report to Ministers on the performance of the NJR and, following ministerial agreement, to make publicly available;
	establishing and monitoring codes of conduct for the contractor dealing with orthopaedic units within national health service trusts and independent health care providers, as well as the orthopaedic implant industry; and
	facilitating, where appropriate, the use of the NJR data for research purposes.
	The NJRSC's remit will remain unchanged following its reconstitution into a Departmental Committee of Experts. Once the change is enacted, the NJRSC will continue to be responsible for its remit but as a Departmental Committee of Experts.

Organs Transportation: Aviation

Mike Weatherley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent representations he has received on the use of aviation services for the transport of organs for donation; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  which organisations provided aviation services for the purpose of transporting organs for transplant in the NHS in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10;
	(3) how much the NHS spent on aviation services for the purpose of transporting organs for transplant in  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10.

Anne Milton: No representations on the use of aviation services for the transport of organs for donation have been received recently by the Secretary of State.
	In 2008-09 and 2009-10 the organisations that have provided aviation services for the purpose of transporting organs for transplant in the national health service are:
	Air Charter Scotland
	Air Partner
	FlyMeNow
	IAS Medical
	Sovereign.
	When an organ becomes available for transplant it is the responsibility of the recipient hospital to arrange for the organ to be transported to them. They take the decision on whether they want to arrange the transport themselves (many hospitals already have their own transport contracts in place) or whether they would like NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to do it. If NHSBT is asked to organise the transport then the details will be passed to the West Midlands Ambulance Service for them to arrange collection and delivery of the organ between the relevant hospitals.
	All payments for these services are made directly by recipient hospitals. In relation to how much the NHS spent on aviation services for the purpose of transporting organs for transplant, this information is not held centrally as payments are made directly by recipient hospitals to the aviation company providing the service.

Patient Choice Schemes

Fiona Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to review the effectiveness of the operation of the Choose and Book system.

Simon Burns: There are no plans to review the effectiveness of the Choose and Book system (beyond consideration as part of the re-procurement process). The Department is consulting on how to implement commitments set out in the White Paper to give patients greater choice and control. Further consideration of Choose and Book could be given in light of consultation responses.

Respiratory Diseases

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information his Department holds on the stage at which chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is diagnosed in the UK; and what information it holds for benchmarking purposes on the stage of diagnosis in other EU member states.

Simon Burns: The information the Department holds on the stage at which chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is diagnosed was published as part of the Department's consultation on a strategy for services for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in England and is included in the consultation impact assessment. The consultation documents have been placed in the Library and can be found on the Department's website at:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_112977
	The Department does not hold information for benchmarking purposes on the stage of diagnosis in other European Union member states.

Respiratory Diseases

Yasmin Qureshi: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate his Department has made of the number of  (a) emergency hospital admissions and  (b) inpatient bed days that could be saved by improving the rate of early diagnosis for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Simon Burns: The Department's strategy for services for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in England, which was published for consultation earlier this year, has been designed to reduce the costs and volumes of both admissions and bed days while improving patient outcomes, and has a major focus on prevention and identification. The consultation included publication of an impact assessment which included estimates of the impact of the strategy as a whole on the numbers and costs of emergency hospital admissions. No explicit estimates were made relating to in-patient bed days, or to the specific impact of improving the rate of early diagnosis of the disease. The consultation documents have already been placed in the Library, and can be found on the Department's website at:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_112977

Social Services: Learning Disability

Jim Dowd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 11 October 2010,  Official Report, column 89W, on social services: learning disability, what timetable he has set for the implementation of the recommendations of the Raising Our Sights report.

Paul Burstow: A timetable has not yet been decided for implementation of the recommendations made in this report but we envisage that we should be in a position to give a formal departmental response by the end of the year.

Strokes

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of patients who suffered a transient ischaemic attack and were at high risk of stroke but were not admitted to a specialist stroke unit in the latest period for which figures are available.

Simon Burns: Evidence suggests that people at high risk of stroke after transient ischaemic attack can benefit from an 80% reduction in the likelihood of subsequent stroke if they are managed in a rapid-access high quality outpatient service, accessible seven days a week. Such a service needs to include access to carotid artery and brain imaging results within 24 hours of referral. The national stroke strategy suggests that an urgent assessment service provided by secondary care that allows same-day access for high-risk cases may best be achieved by allowing open-access for general practitioners, emergency department staff, paramedics and other providers. The strategy also recognises that those at highest risk may justify immediate admission.
	The Stroke Tier 1 Vital Sign collects information on the numbers of people at high risk of stroke who are assessed and treated within 24 hours of presenting to a health care professional with a potential transient ischaemic attack. The latest data, quarter one (April to June) of 2010-11, show that 56.2% of such patients were assessed and treated within 24 hours; this information has been placed in the Library and is available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Statistics/Performancedataandstatistics/Vitalsignsmonitoring/DH_112528
	The expected position by March 2011, is that 60% should meet this standard.
	The 2010 Stroke Sentinel Audit notes that fewer people with a transient ischaemic attack were in hospital in 2009-10 than in the previous audit. It also reports that a third of centres admit high-risk transient ischaemic attack patients but that, on the day of the audit, only 37% of transient ischaemic attack patients were being managed on a specialist stroke bed.

Strokes

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase access to psychological support in stroke units.

Simon Burns: It is for primary care trusts locally to specify in their contracts the services to be provided for those in their local populations who experience a stroke.
	The national stroke strategy sets out clear advice on the components of high quality stroke services and this includes the importance of psychological support across the care pathway. One of the quality statements in the recently published National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Stroke Quality Standard is that
	"all patients after stroke are screened within 6 weeks of diagnosis using a validated tool, to identify mood disturbance and cognitive impairment".
	The Stroke Improvement Programme (SIP) supports the national health service in the implementation of the stroke strategy. In the current year it is supporting the NHS in an Accelerating Stroke Improvement programme, which includes a focus on stroke survivors who have received psychological support for mood, behaviour or cognitive disturbance six months after stroke. SIP is developing:
	a consensus statement about what psychological services for stroke should be, including a pathway for the provision of a service and information about screening tools;
	a summary of the research evidence;
	work force competencies in line with the Stroke Specific Education Framework, for those screening, referring or managing individuals with psychological support needs; and
	a broad health economic assessment of the impact of psychological services for stroke.

Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps he plans to take to inform  (a) the public,  (b) businesses and  (c) local authorities of the provisions of the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010;
	(2)  what measures are in force to protect under 18-year-olds from the adverse health effects of sunbeds;
	(3)  when the provisions in the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 on  (a) prevention of unstaffed sunbed salons and  (b) provision of health information in sunbed salons will be implemented;
	(4)  what support and guidance will be given to local authorities to implement the provisions of the Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010.

Anne Milton: The Sunbeds (Regulation) Act 2010 comes into force on 8 April 2011.The purpose of the Act is to prevent people under the age of 18 from using sunbeds on commercial premises, by making it an offence for sunbed operators to allow people under the age of 18 access to sunbeds on their premises.
	The Department is working on guidance for local authorities and sunbed businesses to assist with the implementation and enforcement of the Act.
	The Act contains powers to make further regulations in relation to sunbed use. These include the power to ensure all sunbed use is supervised and the power to ensure that sunbed businesses provide prescribed health information to sunbed users. We are currently considering the regulation making powers contained in the Act. At this time, no decisions have been taken on these powers.
	SunSmart, the national skin cancer prevention and sun protection campaign, also provides information through its website and resources on the risks to health of sunbeds. In May 2009, the Heath and Safety Executive (HSE) published revised guidance on their website including information for sunbed businesses to provide to their customers on the risks to health of sunbed use. Both SunSmart and the HSE guidance are aimed at all age groups including those under 18 years.

Tobacco: Advertising

David Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will take steps to ensure that young people are not exposed to tobacco advertising and sponsorship at music festivals.

Anne Milton: The Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Act 2002 (TAPA) controls the advertising and promotion of tobacco products. Tobacco products are defined in the Act as products consisting wholly or partly of tobacco and intended to be smoked, sniffed, sucked or chewed.
	Under the provisions in TAPA, tobacco products should not be advertised, apart from an A5-sized advertisement only at points of sale. Likewise, sponsorship linked to tobacco products is unlawful under TAPA. The provisions of TAPA cover music festivals.
	Potential breaches of TAPA should be reported to local trading standards departments, as local authorities have enforcement responsibilities in this area.

Tobacco: Retail Trade

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to bring forward legislative proposals to amend the statutory regime governing the display of tobacco products in shops; when he plans to do so; and what assessment he has made of the effects of the current legislation on small business owners.

Anne Milton: The Government, in discussions across Whitehall, are developing options around the display of tobacco in shops that seek to ensure an appropriate balance between public health priorities and burdens on business.
	An impact assessment showing the costs to retailers of the existing regulations, the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion (Display)(England) Regulations 2010, was published as part of the Explanatory Memorandum to the regulations. This followed public consultation on earlier drafts of the impact assessment as part of the 2008 'Consultation on the future of tobacco control' and in the 2009 'Consultation on proposed tobacco control regulations for England (under the Health bill 2009)'.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Asylum: Deportation

Paul Uppal: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers were evicted from domestic properties in Wolverhampton South West constituency before deportation from the UK in the last 12 months.

Damian Green: The Home Office does not keep records of evictions from domestic properties. However, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) has contracts with various housing providers and will notify them when support is terminated for failed asylum seekers.
	Between 1 October 2009 and 30 September 2010, 872 main applicants supported by the UKBA with addresses within the area of Wolverhampton South West had their support stopped following a final negative decision on their claim for asylum.
	These applicants were located in accommodation provided by both local authority and private providers under contract to the UK Border Agency. 32 of these applicants have since been removed, with the remaining cases being actively pursued to removal.
	All figures quoted are internal management information only and are subject to change. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols.

Borders: Contracts

Lindsay Roy: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the performance of each of her Department's contractors retained under the e-Borders programme; and if she will make a statement.

Damian Green: holding answer 19 October 2010
	There has been no recent assessment. The only company currently delivering e-Borders services to the Home Department is Raytheon Systems Limited under the exit management provisions of the e-Borders agreement that survive termination. Raytheon are continuing to deliver services, notwithstanding being terminated for material breach of contract, until such time as the Home Department can secure provision of replacement services by means of alternative contractors.

Crimes of Violence

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps her Department is taking to implement the Government's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities set out in  (a) Article 15 on freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment,  (b) Article 16 on freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse,  (c) Article 18 on liberty of movement and nationality and  (d) Article 22 on respect for privacy.

Nick Herbert: The Home Office takes the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) very seriously, recognising the commitment that Government have made to equality of rights for disabled people. The Department is currently further considering its responsibilities against the expectations of the convention (specific examples are provided as follows), and the UK report to the UN next year will describe how implementation is being achieved.
	The coalition programme for Government included a specific commitment to
	promote better recording of hate crimes against disabled, homosexual and transgender people, which are frequently not centrally recorded.
	In support of this commitment, and Article 16 of the UNCRPD, Home Office Ministers recently supported a proposal to extend the Annual Data Requirement (ADR)-a list of all requests made to all 43 police forces in England and Wales under the Home Secretary's statutory powers-to cover all five strands of 'monitored' hate crime including disability. It is intended these data will, subject to the technical consultation and checks on data quality, be collected from April 2011 and should be published in late 2012.
	The Department is working to ensure that it enables persons with disabilities to enjoy their rights to liberty of movement, to freedom to choose their residence and to a nationality, on an equal basis with others, as set out in Article 18 of the UNCRPD, by means of its duties as specified in domestic legislation. A reservation for immigration functions was lodged when the UK ratified the convention to ensure that the convention did not inadvertently create new rights in a way that could undermine immigration control or our ability to protect public health. There is an ongoing government review to assess the continued need for this reservation.

Departmental Contracts

Anas Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what contracts her Department has awarded to voluntary sector organisations in the last two years; and what the monetary value was of each such contract.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 13 October 2010
	The Home Department has not awarded any contract to voluntary sector organisations within the last two years.

Departmental Equality

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans she has to publish equality impact assessments undertaken by her Department as part of the comprehensive spending review; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 20 October 2010
	The Home Office has put in place measures to ensure we assess the impact of our distribution of the departmental allocation by the Treasury, for each of our policy responsibilities, through individual Equality Impact Assessment exercises. We will therefore be publishing information in stages over a period of some time, as decisions are developed and we have greater clarity on spending review implementation.

Departmental Manpower

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff her Department employs to consider  (a) departmental and  (b) national strategy; what output such staff are required to produce; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: There are central policy/strategy units in each of the four groups in the Home Office, and one with a remit across the whole Home Office. These units contribute to strategic policy and operational work across the Department, but such work is not restricted to these teams. As of the beginning of October 2010 the Crime and Policing strategy team has 10 people, the Office of Security and Counter Terrorism team has nine people, the UK Border Agency team has seven people, the Identity and Passport team has 3.5 people, and the central team has nine people. Full organograms for the Department were published on 15 October.

Departmental Manpower

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) officials of her Department and  (b) external advisers are working on her Department's review of terrorism legislation.

Nick Herbert: holding answer 13 September 2010
	As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced to Parliament on 13 July 2010,  Official Report, columns 797-809, the review of counter-terrorism and security powers is being led by civil servants from the Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism in my Department. It is being undertaken with the full involvement of the police, security and intelligence agencies, and other Government Departments including those in Scotland and Northern Ireland. There are six to seven full-time equivalent civil servants, the majority of whose time is being taken up working on the review. There are, of course, other civil servants and public servants (including in the police, security and intelligence agencies) who are contributing to the review but have not been included in the core group of civil servants working on the review.
	Lord MacDonald of River Glaven is providing independent oversight.

Departmental Manpower

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) officials of her Department and  (b) external advisers are working on her Department's review of the US-UK Extradition Treaty.

Nick Herbert: Preparations for the review of the UK's extradition arrangements form part of the workload of two Home Office policy officials and one Home Office lawyer. The review will be conducted by a small panel of independent experts.
	An announcement on who will undertake the review was made on 14 October 2011. The review will be chaired by Sir Scott Baker. He will be supported by two lawyers with expertise in extradition matters: David Perry QC and Anand Doobay.

Departmental Recruitment

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many senior civil service staff her Department recruited in each of the last three years; at what cost to the public purse that recruitment was undertaken in each such year; and if she will make a statement.

Nick Herbert: From 1 April 2008 to October 2010, the Home Office and its agencies recruited 32 senior civil servants from outside the civil service. Of these 32 appointments, 21 were from the private sector, and 11 were from the wider public sector. The remainder of the information is not readily available or held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Devon and Cornwall Constabulary

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of the potential effects on police  (a) staffing levels and  (b) detection rates in Devon and Cornwall of expenditure reductions of (i) 10, (ii) 20 and (iii) 30 per cent.

Nick Herbert: My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, will place the Government's proposed allocations for individual forces, including Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, before Parliament in early December.
	My right hon. Friend has been clear that the police service must play its part in reducing the deficit. Decisions about the number of police officers, police community support officers and other police staff engaged by Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and how they are deployed within the force are a matter for the chief constable and the police authority.

DNA: Databases

Mark Reckless: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many DNA profiles of individuals not convicted of any crime have been added to the national DNA database since 6 May 2010.

Nick Herbert: The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) obtains this information periodically, usually once per year, and to obtain it more frequently would incur disproportionate cost. The most recent figures available for England and Wales were obtained on 31 March 2010 and, therefore, the figures requested from 6 May 2010 to date are not available.

Dr Ejup Ganic

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports she received on the steps taken by Interpol between the issue of a diffusion notice relating to Dr Ejup Ganic in May 2009 and the arrest of Dr Ganic on 1 March 2010; and whether there is an outstanding red notice against Dr Ejup Ganic further to his discharge from proceedings in the UK.

Nick Herbert: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary received no reports concerning the steps taken by Interpol between the issuing of a red notice and Dr Ganic's provisional arrest, pending receipt of an extradition request, on 1 March 2010.
	Interpol London can neither confirm nor deny whether the diffusion notice in respect of Dr Ganic is still extant.

Police: Finance

Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the average annual cost to a police authority of  (a) recruiting a special constable,  (b) reimbursing travel and expenses incurred by a special constable and  (c) training a special constable.

Nick Herbert: The information requested is not held centrally.

Police: Finance

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much each police force spent on  (a) leisure and sporting activities and  (b) promotional materials in each of the last three years.

Nick Herbert: The information requested is not held centrally.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

David Blunkett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many  (a) civil servants and  (b) external advisers are working on her Department's consultation on the use by local authorities of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.

Nick Herbert: The consultation on the use by local authorities of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 is part of a wider review. The equivalent of one full-time civil servant in the Home Office is working on the local authorities aspect, liaising closely with the Communities and Local Government Department and the Ministry of Justice as appropriate. No external adviser is involved in the work.

Surveillance

Rehman Chishti: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will bring forward legislative proposals to make the unlawful use of  (a) intrusive surveillance,  (b) directed surveillance and  (c) covert human intelligence sources a criminal offence.

Nick Herbert: We have no plans to do so. Covert surveillance and the use of covert human intelligence sources are authorised under Part II of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 ('RIPA'). Section 27 of RIPA makes it clear that activity regulated under Part II is lawful providing it is properly authorised and that the activity is conducted in accordance with the authorisation. Independent inspection and appeals mechanisms provide statutory oversight for these procedures.
	The Investigatory Powers Tribunal, which investigates complaints about RIPA authorisations and conduct and has a wide range of remedies at its disposal. It may quash any warrant or authorisation, order the destruction of relevant material, award compensation or make any other order as it sees fit.

Terrorism: Control Orders

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons imprisoned for terrorist offences have escaped from  (a) control orders and  (b) supervised release in each of the last five years.

Nick Herbert: In the last five years there have been no persons imprisoned for terrorist offences who have been unlawfully at large while subject to post-release supervision.
	Seven individuals have absconded from control orders-two in 2006 and five in 2007. Given the national security sensitivities of these cases and the obligation to avoid publishing any information that could lead to the identification of an individual subject to an anonymity order, the information which can be provided about the individuals concerned has been given in a number of written ministerial statements.
	I would refer my hon. Friend to written ministerial statements in relation to control orders published on 11 December 2006, 16 January 2007, 22 March 2007, 24 May 2007, 21 June 2007 (two statements), 17 September 2007 and 13 March 2008.

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Carbon Emissions

Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of allocating local carbon budgets; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: Local authorities need to show strong leadership and accountability in cutting emissions from their own estates and operations and those arising within their areas, and have an important role in contributing to the UK's statutory carbon reduction targets.
	We are currently exploring options for local carbon reduction and have an ongoing dialogue at all levels with the local authorities, the Local Government Group, Friends of the Earth and other interested parties to determine how to optimise the local authority contribution. We expect and will encourage local authorities to develop stretching ambitions on carbon emissions.

Circulator Pumps: Energy

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether his Department plans to take steps to inform the public of the energy reductions and carbon savings consequent on the installation of energy efficiency circulators.

Gregory Barker: Information on the benefits of more energy efficient circulators is available to the public through the series of Briefing Notes, BNM C01 to 05, that can be downloaded from Market Transformation Programme's website. A Guidance Note on Commission Regulation 641/2009, which specifies minimum performance criteria for circulators, is also available from the Departmental for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Additionally, there is a significant amount of information in the public domain on the benefits of energy efficient circulators that supports the industry's A to G energy labelling scheme. We have no plans to supplement this information, particularly as Commission Regulation 641 will be in force by 2013.

Departmental Sick Leave

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how many days his Department has lost to staff sickness in each year since his Department's inception; and what estimate he has made of the cost to his Department of sickness absence in each such year.

Gregory Barker: DECC was created in October 2008. The Department encourages a culture where good attendance is expected and valued. However, it recognises that from time to time absences for medical reasons may be unavoidable. The Department aims to treat its staff who are ill with sympathy and fairness and where possible provide them with support which will enable them to recover their health and return to work.
	In the period October 2008-March 2009 the Department lost 1,325 days to sickness at an estimated cost of £295,475.
	In 2009-10 the Department lost 3,667 days to sickness at an estimated cost of £751,735.

Energy Bills

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will introduce measures to help fuel-poor and vulnerable energy consumers in meeting energy bills to come into effect when the Warm Front scheme ends.

Gregory Barker: DECC will fund a smaller, targeted Warm Front programme for the next two years with a budget of £110 million in 2011-12 and £100 million in 2012-13. From 2013, support for heating and insulation for the most vulnerable consumers will be delivered through the Green Deal for energy efficiency and a new obligation on energy companies.
	In addition, from April 2011, energy suppliers will provide greater help with the financial costs of energy bills to more of the most vulnerable fuel-poor households, through Social Price Support-with total support of £250 million in 2011-12 rising to £310 million in 2014-15.

Energy Policy

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 18 October 2010,  Official Report, columns 42-46WS, on energy policy, what estimate he has made of the maximum compensation payable to the Government for taking on financial risks or liabilities; and what mechanism he proposes to use to  (a) define and  (b) measure benefits arising from taking on such risks or liabilities.

Charles Hendry: As the 18 October 2010 statement on no subsidy for new nuclear power made clear, we are not ruling out action by the Government to take on financial risks or liabilities for which they are appropriately compensated or for which there are corresponding benefits. The Government would consider any potential measures in this area on a case-by-case basis, in line with the policy as set out in the statement.

Energy: Meters

Kate Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent progress his Department has made on plans for a national roll-out of domestic smart meters; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Hendry: The Department and Ofgem are currently consulting on a range of smart metering proposals. These are contained in the Smart Metering Implementation Programme Prospectus and a number of supporting documents published on 27 July 2010, and available at
	www.decc.gov.uk/en/content/cms/consultations
	In order to bring forward the start of roll-out and help deliver early benefits, the prospectus proposes a staged approach to implementation under which suppliers will start to install smart meters that meet the minimum requirements defined in common technical specifications ahead of a central data and communications entity being established. The prospectus also makes clear that my Department and Ofgem will look to the industry to examine the opportunities for realising more ambitious but achievable targets for the rate at which suppliers must install smart metering.
	In order that further progress can be made as quickly as possible, the prospectus asked for consultation responses in two tranches, the first (including responses to questions on the staged approach to implementation) by 28 September and the second by 28 October.

Nuclear Power

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much support  (a) his Department and its predecessor and  (b) non-departmental public bodies for which his Department is responsible have provided to the nuclear industry in the form of (i) full-time equivalent staff, (ii) facilities and (iii) research and development expenditures in each of the last 10 financial years; and if he will indicate in each such case which costs (A) arise from the UK's nuclear legacy and (B) are associated with possible new nuclear power stations.

Charles Hendry: The Department of Energy and Climate Change does not hold the information requested centrally and providing a breakdown of the support referred to would result in a disproportionate cost.
	It is the Government's policy that there will be no public subsidy for nuclear new build. The Secretary of State made a statement to the House on 18 October setting out more detail on what this means.

Nuclear Power Stations: Insurance

Paul Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department holds for benchmarking purposes on the level of private insurance cover available to operators of nuclear installations in other countries.

Charles Hendry: We do not hold any specific information on the level of private insurance cover available to nuclear operators in other countries.

Renewable Energy

Graham Stringer: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he intends to classify as renewable heat pumps which fail to meet the required EU standard of coefficient of performance; and if he will make a statement.

Gregory Barker: Heat pumps that do not meet the required average seasonal performance factor, as defined in Annex VII of the use of energy from renewables sources Directive 2009/28/EC, will not count as renewable.

Renewable Energy

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what proportion of electricity generated in the UK was attributable to  (a) wind power and  (b) other sources in the latest period figures are available.

Charles Hendry: holding answer 19 October 2010
	July 2010 is the latest period for which figures are available. The proportion of electricity supplied by fuel type is given in the following table.
	
		
			  Fuel type  Percentage net electricity supplied 
			 Wind 3.0 
			 Coal 28.1 
			 Gas 49.5 
			 Nuclear 17.5 
			 Other(1) 1.9 
			 (1) Net supply by pumped storage is negative. This has been deducted from the 'other' category so the figures sum to 100.  Note: Monthly figures relate to electricity supplied by major power producers.

Renewable Energy: Heating

Jim Fitzpatrick: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change if he will make it his policy to proceed with the Renewable Heat Incentive only if it shows a positive net cost benefit and it passes a cost-effectiveness test.

Gregory Barker: This Government are fully committed to taking action on renewable heat; this is a crucial part of ensuring we meet our renewables targets, cutting carbon and ensuring energy security. All DECC policy proposals are subjected to a rigorous cost-benefit analysis and tested for cost-effectiveness as part of the policy making process.
	The following table shows the latest estimates on the cost of abating each tonne of carbon dioxide under each of the renewable schemes:
	
		
			  Policy  Cost-effectiveness 
			 RHI (based on February 2010 RHI consultation publication) Traded sector: £57/tCO2 
			  Non-traded sector: £75/tCO2 
			 Feed in tariffs (based on impact assessment accompanying Government response, February 2010) Traded sector: £460/tCO2 
			 Renewables obligation (based on analysis for impact assessment accompanying RO order 2010) Traded sector: £115/tCO2 
		
	
	Cost-effectiveness indicators are presented in 2009 prices. For RHI the indicator covers the period 2010 to 2045. For RO and FiTs the period covered is 2010 to 2030.
	The Government are considering responses to the renewable heat incentive consultation and will set out detailed proposals on how to take forward action on renewable heat following the spending review. Further discussions of the costs, benefits and other features of the policy will be presented as part of the final impact assessment.

Wind Power

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change which body is responsible for the decommissioning of wind farms at the end of their life; and what estimate he has made of the decommissioning cost per mast.

Charles Hendry: The owner of an onshore wind farm is responsible for decommissioning at the end of its life. The obligation to decommission is enforced by the relevant local planning authority in the case of onshore wind farms and the Department of Energy and Climate Change in the case of offshore wind farms.
	The cost per mast of decommissioning a wind farm will vary depending on a number of factors including the size, location and physical structure of the turbine.

BUSINESS, INNOVATION AND SKILLS

Apprentices: Businesses

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to increase the number of apprenticeships offered by businesses.

John Hayes: Our intention is to boost the supply of genuine, high quality, employer-owned apprenticeship places, in particular at Level 3 and above which is why we have redirected £150 million in funding to create 50,000 additional apprenticeship places in 2010-11.
	An advanced economy needs advanced skills, so we want to improve progression routes through apprenticeships into higher level skills and professional development. The coalition Government are committed to improving the quality of apprenticeships to make them better suited to the needs of employers and extend the opportunity they offer to more learners. Our future plans for apprenticeships will be set out in more detail in our skills strategy which we will publish this autumn.

Charity Research Support Fund

Mary Glindon: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has for the future funding of the Charity Research Support Fund.

David Willetts: The Government recognise the significant contribution made by charitable funders of research. The charity support element of Quality Related research funding, provided by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, has recognised the public benefit arising from research funded by charities. I cannot pre-empt decisions on detailed allocations which will be made over the coming months.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will provide funding for research on the relationship between retrovirals and myalgic encephalomyelitis.

David Willetts: The Medical Research Council (MRC) is one of the main agencies through which the Government support medical and clinical research. In keeping with the Haldane Principle, prioritisation of an individual Research Council's spending within its allocation is not a decision for Ministers. Such decisions are rightly left to those best placed to evaluate the scientific efficacy of proposed research.
	The MRC is committed to supporting scientific research into all aspects of ME, including studies into the biological basis of the condition and evaluations of treatments. In 2009/10 the MRC spent £109,000 on research directly relating to ME.

Higher Education: Females

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what estimate he has made of the number of women studying in universities who would make repayments on student loans for 30 years or more after leaving higher education under the proposals in the Browne Review.

David Willetts: The Browne review proposes that student loan borrowers do not start to make repayments until their income rises above £21,000 per annum, at 9% of the excess, and with an interest rate rising to the retail prices index plus 2.2% for higher-earning graduates. It proposes that no student loan borrower makes repayments after 30 years, because any outstanding sum at that date would be written off. Based on projections of graduate earnings, and time out of the work force, we estimate that, if the Browne proposals were implemented, 75% of women leaving university with a student loan of £30,000 would benefit from such a write-off. A further 5-10% will have their balance written off during the 30 years due to death or disability. 15-20% will repay fully within the 30-year period.

Higher Education: Finance

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether his Department has made an assessment of the effects of a graduate tax on the number of people seeking to enter high-earning professions.

David Willetts: The Independent Review of Higher Education Funding and Student Finance, led by Lord Browne, has now delivered its recommendations to Government. We welcome this report which includes a number of progressive proposals and which makes important recommendations about the structure and level of graduate contributions. In particular, Lord Browne makes it clear that a pure graduate tax is unworkable and is also unfair. While there is no specific assessment of the impact of a graduate tax on those seeking to enter high earning professions, the report shows that graduates would be faced by uncapped costs that could be several multiples of the cost of their degree.

Higher Education: Private Sector

Jon Trickett: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what meetings  (a) he,  (b) the Minister of State for Higher Education,  (c) other Ministers in his Department and  (d) officials in his Department have had with (i) BPP and (ii) other private companies operating higher education institutions with degree-awarding powers since his appointment.

David Willetts: BPP University College of Professional Studies is the only private company conducting an institution with degree-awarding powers. The Secretary of State, the Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning and I met with BPP University College of Professional Studies, as a part of a wider meeting with representatives of the higher education sector, on 12 July 2010. Officials have also had conversations with staff from BPP University College of Professional Studies as part of the normal course of business but I understand no formal meetings have taken place since the Government came to office.

Higher Education: Sunderland

Bridget Phillipson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills how many young people resident in Sunderland entered university or higher education in  (a) 1997 and  (b) 2010.

David Willetts: In the 1997/98 academic year, there were 820 young (aged under 21) undergraduate entrants from Sunderland local authority to UK higher education institutions (universities and higher education colleges), excluding the Open University. In the 2008/09 academic year, the equivalent figure was 1,265.
	This is the latest available information from the Higher Education Statistics Agency. Figures for the 2009/10 academic year will become available from January 2011. Comparable local authority-level information on entrants to higher education courses at further education colleges is not available. Figures exclude the Open University due to inconsistencies in their coding of entrants across the time period specified. The Department has recently received updated parliamentary constituency data; therefore figures may not match those previously published.

Mail Services: VAT

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what information his Department holds on the number of  (a) organisations which provide business mail services and  (b) such organisations which supply (i) services which are exempt from value added tax and (ii) only those services which are standard rated for value added tax purposes.

Edward Davey: I understand this question to refer to postal operators in the UK.
	At present there are around 51 licensed postal operators in the UK, including Royal Mail.
	VAT is a matter for HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs. I am however advised that under current UK VAT legislative provisions, all postal services provided by Royal Mail, as the universal service provider, are treated as exempt, including stamped, bulk and express mail. All other postal service providers are, in principle, required to charge VAT at the standard rate. However, other postal operators who make use of Royal Mail's facilities to deliver post for the 'final mile', can take advantage of special VAT arrangements to treat this element-which accounts for a significant proportion of the onward charge to their customer-as a 'disbursement' and only charge and account for VAT on the remaining amount.
	Royal Mail's exemption from VAT for postal services in the UK is currently the subject of legislative amendment as part of the Finance Bill which is progressing through Parliament. This follows a European Court of Justice decision which confirmed that Royal Mail, as the sole operator providing the universal postal service, is the only postal body in the UK eligible to exempt postal services from VAT. However, it also ruled that exemption does not apply to all Royal Mail's postal services and as such, those services which are either individually negotiated or not subject to price and regulatory control (such as Parcelforce and Mailmedia) will become liable to VAT at the standard rate. These changes are due to come into effect from 31 January 2011.

Manufacturing Industries: West Midlands

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he is taking to provide support for manufacturing industries in the West Midlands.

Mark Prisk: The Government are supporting the manufacturing industry, both nationally and in the West Midlands, by creating a stable business environment that will give businesses the confidence they need to plan and invest for the future. We are doing this by creating a more supportive tax environment, freeing up credit through the banking system, reducing regulation, maximising the flexibility of the labour market and focusing on training and apprenticeships. For example, we have already redirected £150 million to create up to 50,000 extra apprenticeships, which will be workplace-based and employer-led.
	We are also restructuring the delivery landscape for economic development by replacing the regional development agencies (RDAs) with local enterprise partnerships which better reflect the natural economic geography of the areas that they serve. This will ensure a focussed, targeted delivery of policy/services in areas where it can have the most benefit. We believe this approach will provide the best support for manufacturing in the West Midlands by creating the conditions for local businesses to grow.
	In the longer term, we are keen to ensure that we provide the right conditions in which manufacturing can grow, recognising the vital role it plays in the UK economy. To this end, later in the year we will be launching a new approach to manufacturing that will highlight key ambitions, identify growth opportunities and set out a new framework of actions for both Government and industry.

Public Finance

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what plans he has to publish equality impact assessments undertaken by his Department as part of the comprehensive spending review; and if he will make a statement.

Edward Davey: holding answer 19 October 2010
	The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has been taking equality issues into account in its work towards the spending review. Information will be published as proposals are announced and developed.
	The Department has also established an Equalities Impact Assessment Peer Review Group who will review the equalities impact assessments for the spending review once the granularity in terms of impact can be further incorporated.

Small Businesses: Company Accounts

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills if he will introduce proposals to require small companies to submit audited accounts to Companies House for scrutiny.

Edward Davey: The Government have no plans to introduce proposals to require all small companies to produce audited accounts.

Women and Work Sector Pathways Initiative: Financial Support

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills 
	(1)  how much matched  (a) financial support and  (b) non-financial support has been provided by employers in (i) City of Durham constituency and (ii) the North East to the Women and Work Sector Pathways Initiative;
	(2)  what proportion of women participating in the Women and Work Sector Pathways Initiative have achieved a qualification associated with participation  (a) nationally,  (b) from City of Durham constituency and  (c) the North East;
	(3)  how many employers in City of Durham constituency have taken part in the Women and Work Sector Pathways Initiative since its inception;
	(4)  how many employers in  (a) City of Durham constituency,  (b) the North East and  (c) England have nominated more than one woman employee to participate in the Women and Work Sector Pathways Initiative.

John Hayes: Information on the financial and non-financial support provided by employers for the Women and Work programme is retained for each project but is not collated at a constituency or regional level.
	We estimate that around 4% of all learners that completed training nationally received a qualification through their participation in the programme. There is no breakdown at constituency or regional level.
	Constituency level data is not available for the number of employers participating in the Women and Work programme. Since 2006 approximately 1,098 employers across England have participated in the programme of which 45% (495 employers) have put through more than one woman. For 241 of the employers out of the 495 total no region is specified. Based on the 254 employers for which the regional location is known there were 12 employers based in the North East of England.

TREASURY

Revenue and Customs

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much HM Revenue and Customs paid to external organisations for departmental services in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: The spend data held by HM Revenue and Customs does not separately identify spend on departmental services from other goods and can be disaggregated only at disproportionate cost.

Revenue and Customs: Compensation

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer on how many occasions HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has issued compensatory payments to people in respect of errors made by HMRC in each of the last 24 months for which figures are available; and what the monetary value was of such payments made in each such month.

David Gauke: Payments made under HMRC's ex gratia financial redress policy for 2008-09 and 2009-10 are published in the HMRC 2009 Annual Report and the HMRC Departmental Accounts for 2009-10. The information is reported on an annual basis and is available at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/reports.htm

Revenue and Customs: Complaints

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints his Department received in respect of HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last 24 months for which figures are available.

David Gauke: Complaints information for 2008-09 and 2009-10 is published in the HMRC 2009 Annual Report and the HMRC Departmental Accounts for 2009-10. The information is reported on an annual basis and is available at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/reports.htm

Revenue and Customs: Manpower

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff HM Revenue and Customs employed in each pay band at each grade on the latest date for which figures are available.

David Gauke: The number of staff employed at each pay band and grade on 30 September 2010 was as follows:
	
		
			  Grade  Headcount  Full-time equivalent 
			 SCS 368 362.56 
			 Grade 6 1,172 1,115.74 
			 Grade 7 2,466 2,359.52 
			 Fast stream/trainee 485 482.87 
			 Senior officer 3,704 3,565.79 
			 Higher officer 9,339 8,813.95 
			 Officer 17,264 15,885.89 
			 Assistant officer 31,012 27,320.75 
			 Administration assistant 8,913 7,591.73 
			 HMRC total 74,723 67,498.80 
		
	
	A two-year pay freeze applies to HMRC staff for grades below senior civil service (SCS) in 2011-12 and 2012-13. This affects everyone earning more than the full-time equivalent of £21,000 a year. A pay freeze is already in place for the SCS in 2010-11.

Revenue and Customs: Manpower

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has for the future  (a) structure and  (b) staffing of HM Revenue and Customs; and if he will make a statement.

David Gauke: HMRC's future structure and staffing are dependent on implementation of its spending review settlement announced on 20 October. Further details on HMRC's spending review implementation plans will be published in due course.

Revenue and Customs: Pay

Priti Patel: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was paid in bonuses to staff of HM Revenue and Customs in each of the last three years.

David Gauke: HMRC operates two bonus arrangements:
	performance bonuses tied to the annual performance for delegated grades and senior civil servants; and
	a recognition bonus scheme for delegated grades which recognises exceptional in year performance.
	
		
			   Total bonuses paid (£) 
			 2007-08 20,209,000 
			 2008-09 13,004,000 
			 2009-10 13,420,000 
		
	
	A two-year pay freeze applies to HMRC staff for grades below senior civil service (SCS) in 2011-12 and 2012-13. This affects everyone earning more than the full-time equivalent of £21,000 a year. As part of the freeze, the bonus pot for staff in delegated grades has been frozen as a percentage of paybill at the previous year's level. A pay freeze is already in place for the SCS in 2010-11.

SCOTLAND

Higher Education: Finance

Ann McKechin: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent  (a) assessment he has made of and  (b) discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on the financial implications for students resident in Scotland and studying in England of the proposal of the Browne review on higher education to raise the threshold for repayments to £21,000.

Michael Moore: Since taking office, I have had a number of discussions related to higher education with ministerial colleagues. The Browne review poses important questions which will require thorough debate and consultation, and the Government plan to publish a White Paper outlining detailed proposals in the winter.

EDUCATION

Academies

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether new academy schools will be subject to the same rules on governing bodies as schools which operate under existing legislation.

Nick Gibb: The academy governing body will be appointed by the academy trust. The process for governor elections is set out in the articles of association and agreed between the academy trust and the Secretary of State. The number of governors shall be not less than three but (unless otherwise determined by ordinary resolution) shall not be subject to any maximum. Membership of the governing body however should include at least two parent governors and the principal.

Academies: Ealing

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will assess the effect of an increase in the number of academy schools on the availability to other schools in the same areas of  (a) educational psychology,  (b) educational welfare,  (c) behavioural support services,  (d) school meals and free school meals assessment,  (e) 14-to-16 practical learning options and (f) museum and library services.

Tim Loughton: Discussions are taking place with representatives of local authorities and academies to ensure that the funding available for education from 2011-12 onwards properly reflects the pressures schools will face.
	Local areas are expected to decide how best to use their resources so that local priorities in terms of the needs of children and young people are met in the most coherent, efficient and cost effective way. Greater numbers of academy schools does not of itself force any reduction of education and children's services.
	I should add that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education announced on 8 July 2010 the formation of a ministerial advisory group on the role of the local authority in relation to education and children's services. This group includes representatives of the Local Government Association and the Association of Directors of Children's Services and will provide a forum in which to explore a range of issues relating to the strategic role of local authorities and their working relationship with different types of school as the number of academies increases. The ministerial group is pursuing more detailed aspects of its work through a number of task and finish groups, one of which covers providing for vulnerable children.

Building Schools for the Future Programme

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what the spending profile for the Building Schools for the Future programme is in  (a) 2010-11,  (b) 2011-12,  (c) 2012-13 and  (d) each subsequent year in which the programme is operational.

Nick Gibb: Projecting the year-on-year phasing of capital grant payments can only be indicative until individual school projects reach financial close when total funding is confirmed and construction milestones (which inform grant payments to local authorities) are clearer.
	The current estimate of the spending profile for the Building Schools for the Future programme is as outlined in the following table:
	
		
			   £ billion 
			 2010-11 1.4 
			 2011-12 1.8 
			 2012-13 1.2 
			 2013-14 0.8 
			 2014-15 0.4 
			 2015-16 0.1 
		
	
	These figures represent capital grant only as PFI credits have already been allocated to all continuing BSF schemes. This profile is based on current estimated programme milestone dates and indicative funding levels and hence is subject to change.

Free Schools: Yorkshire and the Humber

Greg Mulholland: To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many applications in respect of his Department's proposed free schools have been received from groups in  (a) Yorkshire and  (b) Leeds.

Nick Gibb: As at 29 September 2010, the Department has received 18 proposals from groups in the Yorkshire region seeking to establish free schools. This includes three proposals received from groups within the Leeds local authority area.

School Leaving: Advisory Services

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education 
	(1)  what recent assessment for bench-marking purposes he has made of the adequacy of the provision of careers advice for school leavers in England compared to that in  (a) the rest of the UK and  (b) other EU countries;
	(2)  what his policy is on the provision of careers advice for those leaving compulsory education.

John Hayes: The Government are currently reviewing the provision of careers guidance to young people and adults, as well as the provision of wider information, advice and guidance that helps young people to navigate the choices that they face in order to achieve success in work and life. Evidence suggests that Connexions services are not consistently providing high quality careers guidance to young people. In the most recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development comparisons of the proportion of 15 to 19-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), the UK had the fifth highest rate of the 27 countries that supplied data. Relevant evidence from careers services both in the UK and worldwide will help to inform the future development of careers guidance services.

INDEPENDENT PARLIAMENTARY STANDARDS AUTHORITY COMMITTEE

Departmental Operating Costs

Paul Flynn: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority if the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority will bring forward proposals to reduce its running costs.

Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
	 Letter from Andrew McDonald:
	As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking if the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority will bring forward proposals to reduce its running costs. (18608)
	Even before the Government brought forward its proposals for spending cuts across the public sector, our Board was clear that we should be looking to reduce costs by around 5% per annum. Sir Ian Kennedy, in evidence to the Speaker's Committee for IPSA, has said that we will take into account the Government's target of 25% over five years.
	We will be bringing forward our proposals on running costs early next year. These proposals will take account of the additional functions we will be undertaking - not least, a review of MPs' pay and pensions in 2011/12.

Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority: Manpower

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority what benefits package is being offered to the new member of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority's communications team.

Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
	 Letter from Andrew McDonald:
	As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking what benefits package is being offered to the new member of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority's communications team. 17627.
	The benefits received by the Director of Communications are the same as those received by other IPSA staff, namely:
	25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years' service
	2.5 privilege days per year
	opportunity to participate in Civil Service pension arrangements
	the offer of an interest-free season ticket loan
	sick pay
	opportunity to participate in Benenden Healthcare.

Members: Allowances

Ben Wallace: To ask the hon. Member for Broxbourne, representing the Speaker's Committee for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority if the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority will consider the merits of reimbursing hon. Members for bank charges incurred as a result of delayed payment of claims by the authority; and if he will make a statement.

Charles Walker: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority. I have asked IPSA to reply.
	 Letter from Andrew McDonald
	As Interim Chief Executive of the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking if we will consider the merits of reimbursing hon. Members for bank charges incurred as a result of delayed payment of claims by the Authority.
	The MPs' Expenses Scheme does not allow for reimbursement of bank charges. However, if an MP unavoidably incurs a bank charge which he or she can show is a direct and exclusive result of a delay by IPSA in processing a claim, it will be considered for payment on an exceptional basis. Any such claim will be considered on its individual merits.

CABINET OFFICE

Employment

James Clappison: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many and what proportion of  (a) UK nationals,  (b) people born in the UK,  (c) foreign nationals,  (d) non-UK EU nationals and  (e) non-EU nationals (i) aged over 16 years and (ii) of working age were in employment in the UK in the third quarter of 2010.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated October 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question asking how many and what proportion of (a) UK nationals, (b) people born in the UK, (c) foreign nationals, (d) non-UK EU nationals and (e) non-EU nationals (i) aged over 16 years and (ii) of working age were in employment in the UK in the third quarter of 2010. (18844)
	The requested information will not be available until the publication of the November 2010 Labour Market Statistical bulletin on 17 November 2010.

Unemployment: Wolverhampton

Paul Uppal: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how many children were living in workless households in Wolverhampton South West constituency in  (a) 2005,  (b) 2007 and  (c) 2010.

Nick Hurd: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Stephen Penneck, dated October 2010:
	As Director General for the Office for National Statistics, I have been asked to reply to your question concerning how many children were living in workless households in Wolverhampton South West constituency in (a) 2005, (b) 2007 and (c) 2010. (18005).
	The figures requested come from the Annual Population Survey household datasets, for which 2010 is not yet available It is not possible to provide reliable estimates for Wolverhampton South West constituency because of small sample sizes. However, the attached table shows estimates for Wolverhampton local authority which has a larger sample size. The table provides information for 2005, 2007 and 2008, the last date for which information is available.
	As with any sample survey, estimates from the APS are subject to a margin of uncertainty. This is captured in a confidence interval, defined by lower and upper bounds, such that the interval formed between the bounds would contain the true value for 95% of all possible samples.
	
		
			  Children( 1 ) living in workless households( 2)  in Wolverhampton local authority 
			  Thousand 
			  Wolverhampton local authority  Estimate  Lower bound( 3)  Upper bound( 3) 
			 January-December 2005 10 7 13 
			 January-December 2007 11 8 15 
			 January-December 2008 14 10 17 
			 (1) Children refers to children under 16. (2) Households including at least one person aged 16-64. (3) 95% confidence interval which means that from all samples possible there would be 95% certainty that the true estimate would lie within the lower and upper bounds.  Source: APS household dataset.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Departmental Rail Travel

David Winnick: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many times he has travelled  (a) first and  (b) standard class by train on official duties since 7 May 2010.

Nicholas Clegg: My travel is arranged in the most efficient and cost-effective way, using trains wherever possible. Such arrangements are made in accordance with the provisions for official travel set out in Chapter 10 of the Ministerial Code.

Members: Conduct

Grahame Morris: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what progress he has made in bringing forward proposals to introduce powers for people to recall their hon. Member; and if he will make a statement.

Mark Harper: The coalition programme for Government included a commitment to bring forward legislation to introduce a power of recall. We are currently considering what would be the fairest, most appropriate and robust procedure.

JUSTICE

Comprehensive Spending Review

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what plans he has to publish equality impact assessments undertaken by his Department as part of the comprehensive spending review; and if he will make a statement.

Jonathan Djanogly: The Ministry of Justice (MOJ) is taking equality into account in its work on the spending review. Equality impact assessments will be published when the MOJ publishes detailed proposals for delivering its spending review agreement.

Courts: Trials and Sentencing

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  how many of those remanded in custody awaiting sentence at the last HM Courts Service monthly census date were  (a) awaiting sentence at the Crown Court,  (b) awaiting sentence at a magistrates' court,  (c) had been arrested on a no bail warrant and  (d) were in custody for other reasons;
	(2)  how many of those remanded in custody and not yet tried at the last HM Courts Service monthly census date were  (a) awaiting trial at the Crown Court,  (b) awaiting trial at a magistrates' court,  (c) had appeared in court but not yet entered a plea,  (d) had been charged but not yet appeared in court,  (e) had been arrested on a no bail warrant and  (f) were in custody for other reasons.

Crispin Blunt: Data are published monthly on the number of offenders in custody on remand untried and the number on remand convicted but unsentenced. The most recent data for August 2010 were published on the Ministry of Justice website in Population in custody monthly tables August 2010 England and Wales-Table 1- and are available through the following link:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/publications/populationincustody.htm
	The Court Proceedings Database held by the Ministry of Justice holds information on defendants proceeded against for criminal offences in England and Wales. These data include information on the age and sex of the defendants, the court where proceedings took place as well as the outcome for specific offences including sentencing information. The Court Proceedings Database does not hold information on whether the defendants proceeded against were on bail at the time of committing their offence, or the criminal history of defendants. Circumstances leading to an arrest and charge of an offender are not recorded on the database and could only be provided through manual checking of court and prisoner records at disproportionate cost.
	As at 31 August 2010 there were a total of 13,028 remand offenders in prison of whom 8,802 were untried and 4,226 were convicted but unsentenced.
	These figures have been drawn from administrative IT systems which, as with any large scale recording system, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing.

Management Companies: Fees and Charges

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward proposals to regulate the payment of referral fees to claims management companies by solicitors.

Jonathan Djanogly: The payment of referral fees is already subject to regulation. The Ministry of Justice is responsible for the direct regulation of claims management companies, who are subject to part 2 of the Compensation Act 2006. Solicitors, who are regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA), must in relation to referral fees comply with the Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2007 (rule 9).
	The Government are aware of concerns over referral fees and we note that this issue has been considered by Lord Young in his report 'Common Sense, Common Safety' (published on 15 October 2010) and by Lord Jackson in his report 'Review of Civil Litigation Costs' (published 14 January 2010). The Government welcome Lord Young's report and in regard to Lord Jackson's report will be issuing a consultation paper later this autumn.
	The Legal Services Board, as the oversight regulator of the legal profession in England and Wales, has launched a consultation entitled 'Referral Fees, Referral Arrangements and Fee Sharing'. The consultation ends on 22 December 2010. The conclusions of this consultation will be carefully considered by the SRA and will help to inform the Government's position on referral fees.

Personal Injury Lawyers: Advertising

Jake Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will bring forward proposals to restrict advertising by personal injury lawyers.

Jonathan Djanogly: Solicitors are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the regulatory arm of the Law Society. The use of advertisements and other forms of publicity by solicitors is regulated by the Solicitors' Code of Conduct 2007. The code provides that firms are generally free to advertise their services, subject to the requirements of rule 7. Rule 7 of the code permits solicitors to publicise their firms in a number of ways-ensuring that clients and the public have appropriate information about the firm and the way it is regulated, but prohibiting misleading or inaccurate publicity and inappropriate approaches for business.
	Following Lord Young's report on health and safety and compensation culture to restrict advertising by personal injury lawyers I am aware that Lord Young has written to the SRA, expressing his concerns about the regulations currently in place. I have asked the SRA to inform me of their plans regarding any future changes to regulation.
	The SRA is currently consulting on a new code of conduct, and will be working with Lord Young's team, the Legal Services Board and the Ministry of Justice/Claims Management Regulator and other stakeholders to ensure that clients' interests are protected, and that solicitors' publicity is not likely to diminish the trust the public places in solicitors and the provision of legal services.

Prisoners: Interviews

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what estimate he has made of the number of prisoners granted permission to give media interviews in each year since 1997; on what date permission was granted in each case; to which prisoners such permission was given; for which offences each had been convicted; and what the cost to the public purse of processing the interview request was in each case.

Crispin Blunt: The National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has no record of the number of prisoners granted face to face interviews with journalists since 1997. Prior to a change to the policy in July 2010, decisions to allow prisoners to have interviews with journalists were made by governors and no central records were collated. It is not possible to provide information on the number, date and cost of interviews or the type of prisoners granted face to face access to journalists. The new policy requires governors to refer all requests for face to face interviews to the Ministry of Justice Press Office for approval on behalf of the Secretary of State for Justice. No decisions on whether to allow an interview have been made since July 2010.

Prisons: Wales

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice when he expects to announce the prospective sites in North Wales for a prison.

Crispin Blunt: In October 2009, the Ministry of Justice began a site search for sites suitable for 1,500-place prisons in the priority areas of North West England, North Wales, West Yorkshire and Greater London as part of the new prisons programme. A number of sites in North Wales have been put forward.
	The Ministry of Justice is committed to publishing a Green Paper on Rehabilitation and Sentencing, consulting on our longer term plans for offender management. As a consequence the Ministry will re-evaluate its strategy for prison capacity.

Tribunal, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007: Debt Collection

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department plans to implement the provisions of Schedule 12 of the Tribunal, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 to appoint an independent regulator of bailiff and debt collection organisations.

Jonathan Djanogly: Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 does not provide for the appointment of an independent regulator of bailiff and debt collection organisations.
	We have given a commitment to provide more protection against aggressive bailiffs. We are developing options for public consultation on Protection against Aggressive Bailiffs including the need for better regulation of bailiffs.

Tribunal, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007: Debt Collection

Gloria De Piero: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice whether his Department plans to undertake a public consultation on the implementation of Schedule 12 of the Tribunal, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.

Jonathan Djanogly: We have given a commitment to provide more protection against aggressive bailiffs. We are developing options for public consultation on Protection against Aggressive Bailiffs including the potential implementation of Schedule 12 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.